The Supreme Court has rejected a request to telecast live the hearing on government appeals against amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws.
The majority decision came after thorough deliberations among the five-member larger bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa. The issue was decided with a 4-1 majority, as Justice Athar Minallah disagreed with the decision.
The request for live broadcasting was put forward by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa advocate general, who argued for greater transparency in the proceedings, right when the bench was about to resume hearing in the case.
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However, the bench, after retreating to chambers for further discussions, concluded that there would be no live-streaming of this particular case. CJP Isa confirmed the decision, stating, "There will be no live-streaming of this case."
Notably, the decision to deny live telecast was not without internal dissent. Justice Minallah expressed disagreement with the decision of his fellow four judges, reflecting a divide within the bench on this issue.
The hearing also saw Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan appearing via a video link from Adiala Jail.
On the previous hearing on May 16, Justice Minallah asked if the application was approved for hearing in the high court. Counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan replied in the positive. The court then sought the high court's order of the hearing on NAB amendments case.
Advocate Khan told the court on being asked that a total of 53 hearings have been held in the main case.
