Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday witnessed a light moment when Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani made a witty reference to the 27th Constitutional Amendment while hearing a case related to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).
During the hearing, Justice Kayani remarked that since the 27th Amendment was underway, the CII might also have taken the opportunity to expand its authority. The Council could have sent its proposals – perhaps its powers would have been enhanced as well, he quipped.
The court observed that it could decide the case within the current month, noting that after the passage of the 27th Amendment, even the court’s own jurisdiction in certain matters might no longer remain intact.
Justice Kayani questioned the CII representative whether the body was merely advisory and who had approached it for an opinion in the case. He noted that any action by the court could set a new trend in the country, emphasising that parliament holds legislative power.
The court asked whether the CII could offer advice to anyone other than the legislature, the president, or a provincial governor. Officials representing the CII replied that only the chairman could answer that question, but as the chairman’s post was vacant, they sought more time.
