Bill seeking right of appeal against SC decision in suo moto cases introduced in NA

ISLAMABAD: A private member bill [The Law Reforms (Amendment) Bill, 2015 was introduced in the National Assembly on Tuesday seeking right of appeal against the decision of the Supreme Court in suo moto cases or against orders or judgments made in other cases directly taken by the Apex court.

Muhammad Ayaz Soomro of Pakistan Peoples Party moved the bill in the House to further amend the Law Reforms Ordinance, 1972 (XII of 1972).

Giving the statement of objects and reasons of the bill, Ayaz Soomro said that at present there was no right of appeal against the decision of the Supreme Court in suo moto cases or against orders or judgments made in other cases directly taken by the Supreme Court under Article 184 of the Constitution. The only option available an aggrieved persons was of review provided under Supreme Court of Pakistan Rules, 1980, he said.

He said that scope of review was limited to correction of errors, if any. Minister for Law and Justice Pervaiz Rashid said that the member has already submitted a constitutional amendments to the NA standing committee in this regard.

He said that the committee has not yet finalized its report. "Once the committee gives its report and if there is any need then the House adopts the bill," he suggested.

The minister said that no one has any objection over the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the bill.

Arif Alvi of PTI said that the bill should be referred to the concerned standing committee for deliberation.

The Speaker referred the bill to the Standing Committee for deliberation.

Meanwhile, the House rejected another private member bill seeking amendment of section 12 and insertion of new sections in the Indus River System Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2015.

Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani moved the bill to amend the Indus River System Authority Act, 1992 in the House.

While opposition the amendment, State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali said consensus among all the provinces for amendment was mandatory. In past some amendments were proposed but these were rejected due to non-consensus among the provinces.