The Supreme Court despite having a hectic schedule last year decided a number of important cases, which will have long lasting impacts upon the judicial history of the country. The most prominent case taken up by the apex Court in 2010, was a challenge to 18th Constitutional Amendment, which was unanimously passed by the Parliament.
The case assumed great value, as it was one of the major constitutional issues after the 17th Amendment decided by the apex Court. The larger bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry sent back the issue of appointment of judges of the superior judiciary back to the parliament to address certain concerns expressed by the petitioners and the Court.
In its interim order the apex Court held that despite pendency of the pleas, the amendments made through the 18th Amendment would come into force. The apex Court would take up other issues in the third week of January. The Supreme Court also cancelled the promotion notification of 54 bureaucrats, who were serving as federal secretaries, to Grade 22. The SC directed for appointments on these posts on merit, besides laying down rules and regulations.
Its other landmark verdict was over award of project for supply of long and short term liquified natural gas (LNG). The over-one billion dollars LNG import project was declared illegal. The apex Court ordered the Petroleum Secretary to take action against the officers responsible for the issue.
The Court also directed the Petroleum Ministry to resend its summary to the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) for fresh approval and advised supervision by the Prime Minister. Similarly, the apex Court also cancelled lease of F-9 Fatima Jinnah Park awarded by the Capital Development Authority to a foreign food chain.
The Court ordered demolition of illegal construction of commercial buildings in F-9 Park and directed for taking legal action against the CDA's former chairman for allowing such construction. The Court also declared illegal the appointments of Acting Chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Prosecutor General during hearing of a case pertained to Rs 9 billion Bank of Punjab loan scam.