Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan

Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan

The Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan consists of 8 muslim judges including the Chief Justice. These Judges are appointed by the President of Pakistan choosing from amongst the serving or retired judges of the Supreme Court or a High Court or from amongst persons possessing the qualifications of judges of a High Court. Justice Haziq-ul-Khairi is the Chief Justice of FSC.

Of the 8 judges, 3 are required to be Ulema who are well versed in Islamic law. The judges hold office for a period of 3 years, which may eventually be extended by the President. The FSC, on its own motion or through petition by a citizen or a government (federal or provincial), has the power to examine and determine as to whether or not a certain provision of law is repugnant to the injunctions of Islam. Appeal against its decisions lie to the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court, consisting of 3 muslim judges of the Supreme Court and 2 Ulema, appointed by the President. If a certain provision of law is declared to be repugnant to the injunctions of Islam, the government is required to take necessary steps to amend the law so as to bring it in conformity with the injunctions of Islam.

The court also exercises revisional jurisdiction over the criminal courts, deciding Hudood cases. The decisions of the court are binding on the High Courts as well as subordinate judiciary. The court appoints its own staff and frames its own rules of procedure. Ever since its establishment in 1980, the Federal Shariat Court has been the subject of criticism and controversy in the society. Created as an islamisation measure by the military regime and subsequently protected under the controversial 8th Amendment, its opponents question the very rationale and utility of this institution. It is stated that this court merely duplicates the functions of the existing superior courts and also operates as a check on the sovereignty of Parliament. The composition of the court, particularly the mode of appointment of its judges and the insecurity of their tenure, is taken exception to, and it is alleged, that this court does not fully meet the criterion prescribed for the independence of the judiciary. That is to say, it is not immune to pressures and influences from the Executive.

In the past, this court was used as a refuge for the recalcitrant judges. And whereas some of its judgments, particularly the ones which relying on the Islamic concept of equity, justice and fair play, expanded and enlarged the scope and contents of individual’s rights were commended, others that tend to restrict the rights of women, are severely criticised and deplored. In brief there is a need for a serious discussion on the status, utility and functions of this Court.

ee also

*Chief Justices of the Federal Shariat Court

External links

;Official
* [http://www.supremecourt.gov.pk Supreme Court of Pakistan]
* [http://www.ljcp.gov.pk/ Law and Justice Commission Government of Pakistan] ;Other
* [http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20060802-095409-1513r.htm A victory for Pakistani women] - Editorial in "Washington Times"


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court — Pakistan This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Pakistan …   Wikipedia

  • Chief Justices of the Federal Shariat Court — The Chief Justice heads the Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan. These are the names of the Chief Justices of the Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan, which came into being in 1980.List Temporal Order Name of Chief Justice From To 1 Justice… …   Wikipedia

  • Court system of Pakistan — is made up of many courts differing in levels of legal superiority and separated by jurisdiction. Some of the courts are federal in nature while others are provincial. Contents 1 Structure of courts in Pakistan 2 Supreme Court Of Pakistan …   Wikipedia

  • Pakistan Muslim League (Q) — پاکستان مسلم لیگ ق Leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain President Mushahid Hussain Syed …   Wikipedia

  • Pakistan — /pak euh stan , pah keuh stahn /, n. 1. Islamic Republic of, a republic in S Asia, between India and Afghanistan: formerly part of British India; known as West Pakistan from 1947 71 to distinguish it from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).… …   Universalium

  • Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf — This article is about the Pakistani political party. For the London based group, see Movement For Justice By Any Means Necessary. Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf …   Wikipedia

  • Pakistan — اسلامی جمہوریۂ پاکستان Islāmī Ǧumhūriya i Pākistān (Urdu) Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Engl.) Islamische Republik Pakistan …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Pakistan — <p></p> <p></p> Introduction ::Pakistan <p></p> Background: <p></p> The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is… …   The World Factbook

  • Sindh High Court — The High Court of Sindh is the highest judicial institution of Sindh province. Established in 1906, it is situated at provincial capital Karachi. Apart from being the highest Court of Appeal for Sindh in civil and criminal matters, the Court was… …   Wikipedia

  • Opérations militaires au Pakistan contre les talibans — Opérations militaires contre les talibans au Pakistan En bleu, les Régions tribales du Pakistan (le Sud et le Nord Waziristan sont les deux provinces du Sud. En vert, la province de la Frontière du Nord Ouest. En jaune, le district de Swat. Les… …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”