X-judge High Court corners attorney general as Supreme Court reviews constitutional court powers

Can Parliament change the law to decide which judges hear a political leader’s appeal? Has Pakistan’s new Federal Constitutional Court been given powers that were never intended by the Constitution? In this special MJtv analysis, senior journalist Matiullah Jan talks to former judge of Lahore High Court Ibad Ur Rehman Lodhj and also examines today’s crucial Supreme Court proceedings, where the Attorney General defended controversial amendments to Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law. The central legal question: Can appeals against corruption convictions be transferred from the Supreme Court to the newly created Federal Constitutional Court? The amendments to the NAB law have sparked intense debate because they require appeals to be filed before the newly constituted Federal Constitutional Court instead of the traditional Supreme Court. Critics argue that the changes were specifically designed to influence the legal appeals of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has remained in prison for nearly three years while facing multiple cases. To understand the constitutional implications, MJtv speaks with former Lahore High Court Judge Justice Ibad-ur-Rehman Lodhi, who appeared before the Supreme Court on behalf of an accused. Justice Lodhi argues that despite the amendments, bail petitions can still be heard by the Supreme Court because the new law itself created a statutory right of appeal before the High Court, replacing the previous practice of filing constitutional writ petitions in NAB bail matters. According to his interpretation, the constitutional amendment only transfers appeals arising from constitutional writ proceedings—not ordinary criminal appeals or bail matters—to the Federal Constitutional Court. This video explores: Today’s Supreme Court hearing and the Attorney General’s arguments. Whether the Federal Constitutional Court has jurisdiction over criminal corruption appeals. The constitutional and legal controversy surrounding the NAB amendments. Justice Ibad-ur-Rehman Lodhi’s detailed legal analysis. The wider implications for judicial independence, separation of powers, and the rule of law in Pakistan. How these developments could affect the pending legal cases of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Watch this detailed legal discussion and share your views respectfully in the comments. If you value independent journalism and in-depth constitutional analysis, subscribe to MJtv, like this video, and turn on notifications so you never miss our latest reports.