Islamabad: The Supreme Court’s constitution bench has removed objections raised on the petition of the founder of PTI regarding the amendments made in 2023 to the Official Secrets Act and the Army Act.
A five-member constitution bench headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan heard the matter. The bench directed the Registrar’s Office to allot a formal number to the constitutional petition.
The court asked why the High Court was not approached against the amendments first? Lawyer Shoaib Shaheen said that the rights of the people are being affected by the amendments to the Official Secrets Act and the Army Act.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that the Supreme Court has been hearing petitions against the laws in Article 184/3 at will. Whatever the heart has heard, whatever the heart has not said, the case should first go to the High Court. If the petitions continue to be heard directly, Article 199 will become ineffective.
Lawyer and founder of PTI Shoaib Shaheen said that this decision can be made by the court, not the registrar.
The constitutional bench adjourned the hearing indefinitely and also sought arguments on the admissibility of the petition.
