The first live broadcast of Supreme Court proceedings in Pakistan has sparked reactions from lawyers, journalists, and political figures. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa ordered the live broadcast for a full court hearing on a set of petitions challenging the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023, marking a historic moment in the country’s judiciary.
The Act, which was passed earlier this year, aims to regulate the powers of the CJP by requiring the formation of benches for constitutional matters and giving a committee of three senior judges the authority to decide on suo motu cases.
The live broadcast has been widely applauded as a positive step towards transparency, accessibility, and education. Journalist and political analyst Mazhar Abbas described it as a “mini-revolution” in the Supreme Court, emphasizing the importance of justice being seen to be done.
PPP Senator Sehar Kamran acknowledged the symbolic value of the live broadcast but stressed the need for long-term reforms that uphold justice and the rule of law.
Journalist Asma Shirazi hailed the event as “history in the making,” while journalist and analyst Fahd Hussain highlighted the intense public scrutiny that the live broadcast brings, with expressions, tones, and logic now under a watchful eye.
Lawyer Abuzar Salman Niazi praised the live streaming as a brilliant step towards transparency, accessibility to justice, and education. He emphasized the importance of providing Urdu translations to ensure the public’s understanding of the hearings.
Similarly, lawyer Jibran Nasir commended CJP Isa’s decision, stating that it promotes transparency, accountability, and eliminates unnecessary drama created by reporters. He called for the judiciary to embrace technology and make courts and justice more accessible.
Meanwhile, journalist and President of Samaa TV, Nadeem Malik, emphasized the significance of CJP Isa’s efforts in rewriting history by showing Supreme Court proceedings live. He suggested that all proceedings of the Supreme Court and high courts should be broadcasted on dedicated channels to discourage injustice and maintain the integrity of the judicial system.
However, not all reactions were positive. Barrister Gohar Khan labeled the live stream as a “step in the wrong direction” without further elaboration. Journalist Hasan Zaidi also criticized the legal profession, highlighting the mediocrity that is often concealed under the guise of respectability.
In conclusion, the live broadcast of the Supreme Court proceedings in Pakistan has drawn a mix of praise and criticism, reflecting the need for ongoing reforms to achieve transparency, accessibility, and justice.