ISLAMABAD: The adjourned session of the National Assembly was extended by one day on Sunday and will resume on Tuesday.
Top sources told JEE News Sunday that the change was made in anticipation of hearing a petition filed against the Supreme Court Procedure and Practice Act 2023 in the Supreme Court. An eight-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Atta Bandial will hear the petition on Tuesday.
The legal community across the country has taken a stand against hearing the matter and called for its implementation.
The meeting was adjourned to May 3 last week, but Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf issued an order for an early meeting on Sunday.
The order reads: “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (b) of sub-rule (2) of rule 49 of the Rules and Procedures of the National Assembly, 2007, the Honorable the Speaker on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 Expressed pleasure in convening the meeting of the National Assembly at 4 p.m. instead of Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 4 p.m.
The notification has been issued by Additional Secretary Legislation of the National Assembly, Muhammad Mushtaq.
Sources pointed out that the sudden change in schedule was not without reason.
The Parliament will not hesitate to react to the decision of the Supreme Court, if contrary to the Constitution and the will of the Parliament, by repudiation, passing new legislation and any other appropriate order on the matter.
Sources said the Act has already become part of the books and Parliament is determined to resist any change in its status.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) report on the Punjab Assembly elections is also going to come before the three-member bench of the Supreme Court.
Parliament has also rejected the constitution of the bench. Any action due to the ECP report will also be answered by Parliament, which has been in session since last month.
Sources say that as long as the current constitutional and judicial crisis continues, the session of Parliament will continue.
Sources said that the joint session is being called this week to consider the NAB amendment law, which was returned by President Arif Alvi without his signature.
The joint session will pass the bill once again and it will be sent back to the President for assent.
If he does not sign it within 10 days, the bill will automatically become an act.
