18th Amendment case verdict today

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court will announce its judgement on the petitions challenging various aspects of the 18th Amendment today, Geo News reported.

Earlier, on September 30, a 17-judge bench of the SC headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had reserved its verdict on the petitions challenging various provisions of the 18th Amendment.

According to a court statement, notices have been issued to all the concerned. Around 16 petitions, including those by the Supreme Court Bar Association, J Salik, Ejazul Haq, civil society groups and Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, had been filed against certain provisions of the amendment.

They had challenged the formation of a judicial commission and a parliamentary committee for the appointment of judges in superior courts under Article 175-A. The court had started hearing on the petitions on May 24, which had continued with brief intervals for more than four months.

Barrister Waseem Sajjad, Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq, Additional Attorney General KK Agha and around 15 counsels of the federation and advocates general of all provinces had defended the 18th Amendment.

Shahid Hamid had represented the Punjab government, whereas Punjab Advocate General Khawaja Haris had appeared in person challenging Article 175-A. A number of petitioners had also challenged the renaming of NWFP as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.