Justices Mansoor Shah, Jamal Mandokhail of SC call for revisiting CJP's 'one-man show' power.

ISLAMABAD -- In an unusual development in the top court, two judges of the Supreme Court raised questions over the powers of the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), saying the apex court 'cannot be dependent on the solitary decision of one man, the Chief Justice'.

In a 27-page detailed ruling - claimed to be the judgement in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) plea over the delay in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elections - Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail pointed out that it is important 'to revisit the power of 'one-man show' enjoyed by the office of the Chief Justice of Pakistan [Umar Ata Bandial]".

The development comes minutes after the Supreme Court served notice to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), adjourning the hearing on PTI's petition challenging the electoral body's orders to put off Punjab Assembly elections till October 8.

'This court cannot be dependent on the solitary decision of one man, the Chief Justice, but must be regulated through a rule-based system approved by all Judges of the Court under Article 191 of the Constitution, in regulating the exercise of its jurisdiction under Article 184(3) including the exercise of suo motu jurisdiction; the constitution of Benches to hear such cases; the constitution of Regular Benches to hear all the other cases instituted in this Court; and the constitution of Special Benches,' it read.

Highlighting the drawback of running a 'one-man show', Justice Shah and Justice Mandokhail mentioned that it leads to the concentration of power in the hands of one individual, making the system more susceptible to the abuse of power.

'In contrast, a collegial system with checks and balances helps prevent the abuse and mistakes in the exercise of power and promote transparency and accountability,' they mentioned, adding that it also ensures good governance as it rests on collaboration, shared decision-making and balance of power.

'When one person has too much power, there is a risk that the institution may become autocratic and insulated, resulting in one-man policies being pursued, which may have a tendency of going against the rights and interests of the people,' the document read.

The two judges, mentioning that the justice system stands on public trust and confidence reposed in it, emphasised that 'one-man show needs a revisit as it limits diverse perspectives, concentrates power, and increases the risk of an autocratic rule'.

They mentioned that the chief...