Hearing on 18th Amendment case on Monday

ISLAMABAD:-The 17-member larger bench of Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry will recommence proceedings of petitions challenging 18th constitutional amendment from Monday.

The proceedings were adjourned for Eid holidays when Salman Raja was arguing in favour of the new mode of appointments. The lawyer will resume his arguments on Monday.

Senator Raza Rabbani will appear before the bench that will be headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, in this week to answer questions raised during the proceedings about the amendment.

The court is hearing 25 petitions against various aspects of the amendment, but the focus is on setting up of a parliamentary committee to endorse recommendations of a judicial commission for appointing judges and its impact on the independence of judiciary.

Some petitions oppose the renaming of the NWFP as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and an amendment to Article 17 empowering the party heads to have a final say in cases of defection.

Special security cameras have been installed in the court rooms as well as public entry gates and reception areas of the Supreme Court. Passes will be issued to the petitioners, respondents, their learned counsels appearing before the court, entry of the journalists who regularly cover the Supreme Court proceedings will also be made through passes.