Constitutional Bench to take up Panama Papers case on 27th

ISLAMABAD: The Constitutional Bench will take up next week for hearing a petition of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) seeking investigation into the Panama Papers scandal.

The Supreme Court Friday released the roster of the Constitution Bench for next week starting Monday, November 25.

According to the judges’ roster, a five-member constitutional bench — headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan — will hear cases next week.

Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Musarrat Hilali are the other members of the bench.

Justice Ayesha A Malik and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan will also not be part of the bench.

According to the next week's cause list, the application of Jamaat-e-Islami filed for investigation into the Panama Papers scandal has been fixed for hearing on November 27.

Last year in July, the JI had filed a petition with the apex court, praying for constitution of a proper Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprising FIA, NAB and FBR for investigation in the Panama Leaks case.

Similarly, the constitutional bench will take up petitions against the ban on student unions, implementation of the decision to introduce Urdu in government institutions, petitions filed for uninterrupted supply of gas to industries and those seeking a ban on the hunting of rare bird Talur (Hubara Bustard).

The constitutional bench will also hear cases including against the merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, applications for deactivation of Climate Change Authority, and application against the prime minister's discretionary funds.

Similarly, the bench will also hear case related to the FIA notices to journalists and a suo motu case against harassment besides hearing minority rights, restoration of Gurdwaras, suo motu case on Jaranwala tragedy, pneumonia, deaths due to hepatitis, and suo motu case on drug prices respectively.

Meanwhile, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, will take up for hearing an appeal by Nadra on November 29 against the decision of Islamabad High Court (IHC), restoring the CNIC of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) leader Hafiz Hamdullah.