In a major development, the Supreme Court Review of Judgments and Orders Act 2023 became law, raising hopes for PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and estranged PTI leader Jahangir Tareen.
According to the details, the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, has ratified the Supreme Court Review of Judgments and Orders Act 2023, after which it passed into law. Under the said bill, under section 184/3, any accused person can exercise the right to review the sentence imposed on them in previous decisions.
The bill was approved by the president on Friday, it was revealed by Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan as the Supreme Court of Pakistan resumed hearing on a petition filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against April 4 rule regarding holding elections in Punjab.
Read more: SC adjourns hearing of ECP’s plea seeking review of Punjab election order
Earlier this year, the National Assembly and Senate passed the Supreme Court Review of Judgments and Orders Bill 2023. The bill aims at facilitating and strengthening the Supreme Court in the exercise of its powers to review its judgments and orders.
President Arif Alvi assents to law recently passed by Parliament regulating powers of the Chief Justice regarding composition of benches pic.twitter.com/JKEDCFkBT0
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) May 29, 2023
It is being speculated that the review order was spearheaded by President Dr Arif Alvi – who is from PTI – in an attempt to save PTI Chairman Imran Khan from disqualification.
However, with the latest development, former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and former PTI stalwart Jahangir Khan Tareen will also get the right to file an appeal against their respective disqualifications.
A big blow for Hamkhyals!
President Alvi signs on the review order to save potential disqualification of Imran Khan. Currently,Under this new Supreme Court (Review of Judgements and Orders) Act 2023, Nawaz Sharif and Jahangir Tareen can file new review petitions within 60 days. pic.twitter.com/7sEP6o0unx— Shama Junejo (@ShamaJunejo) May 29, 2023
In July 2017, the top court disqualified Nawaz Sharif as prime minister of the country in a suo motu case instigated by the “Panama Papers” leaks, related to alleged corruption during his previous two terms in office.
In July 2018, the apex court disqualified Tareen for being dishonest under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution and Section 99 of Representation of People Act (ROPA).
While Jahangir Tareen is currently in Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif has been living in London since 2019. With the chance of filing an appeal against his disqualification, perhaps Nawaz Sharif may finally return to Pakistan.
Read more: SC dismisses review petitions: Tough times ahead for Zardari?