KARACHI – Following establishment of constitutional benches, the Sindh High Court (SHC) regular benches on Tuesday declined to hear constitutional petitions.
A SHC two-member bench headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar was hearing a petition related to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA).
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the case falls under Article 199(2) of the Constitution and requested an urgent hearing.
Justice Salahuddin Panhwar remarked that petitions seeking to restrain provincial or federal governments or institutions from any action would be heard by the constitutional bench.
He advised the counsel to seek permission from Justice KK Agha. He further clarified that conditional permission is granted, but the office must first determine whether the matter would be heard by a regular bench or a constitutional bench.
Judicial Commission nominated nine judges for constitutional benches at the Sindh High Court.
The court also declined to hear cases related to call-up notices, account defreezing, and provision of protection. These hearings have been postponed indefinitely.
In a separate case regarding the quashing of an FIR, the court directed that the petition be converted into a Section 561 application and presented before the relevant bench.
The Judicial Commission of Pakistan, a day earlier, nominated nine judges for the Sindh High Court’s (SHC) constitutional benches.
Justice AK Agha will head the constitutional benches and the constitutional committee.
