Islamabad (Web Desk/Agencies): Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Friday said that the promulgation of Ordinance on Practice and Procedures Act will further improve transparency in the judicial process.
The ordinance, which amends the Practice and Procedures Act, was approved by the federal cabinet and has been enacted by President Asif Ali Zardari.
Talking to the media in Islamabad, he said an ordinance for amendment in the Practice and Procedures Act has been promulgated by the President after approval from the federal cabinet.
The minister said that from now on, the case that comes first would be taken up first by the court and the cases coming after would be fixed on their number.
He said that in a case under section 184(3), it will have to be written why it was a matter of public importance.
A formal order will be issued that if a case under Section 184(3) was taken up, whether it was a case of public importance, or human rights issue.
The information minister said under the ordinance, on 184 (3) any order passed by the Supreme Court, the right of appeal had been granted.
According to this ordinance, a transcript will be prepared of the proceedings including judges’ remarks and observations during the case and this text will also be available to the public.
This step had been taken to make the judicial process more transparent, he opined.
Attaullah Tarar said that in the proposed constitutional package, there is mention of providing convenience to the people.
He said a committee had been set up under the Practice and Procedure Act headed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the puisne judge and the third Senior Judge were its members.
The minister said under the ordinance, now the Chief Justice will head the committee whereas the puisne judge will be a member and a third judge of the Supreme Court will be its member.
“The Chief Justice will nominate one of the judges of the Supreme Court as a member of this committee from time to time,” the minister added.
He said cases were delayed due to the non-availability of the third member of the committee in Islamabad.
Tarar said that a petition regarding the review of 63-A was pending till date. He remarked that some decision should have come regarding the revision of 63-A as it was an important matter.
“All these reforms and amendments have been made keeping in mind the interests of the common people,” he said.