“The government stands with the judiciary, however, it refuses to stand with a group of like-minded judges who do not accept the decisions of the courts and appoint lawyers of their liking in cases,” Irfan Qadir said at a press conference in Lahore on Saturday.

Qadir claimed that a malicious campaign was going on against state institutions. “The Parliament is the state, while some people are violating the Constitution by considering themselves above the state,” he said without naming such people.

The premier’s aide raised concerns over CJP Umar Ata Bandial’s remarks that the government should take the apex court in confidence regarding legislation related to the judiciary.

The CJP’s remarks came during the court’s proceeding on June 1 while heating multiple petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 — a law aiming to clip the CJP’s powers.

The joint sitting of the Parliament on April 10, passed the bill. It proposes that every cause, appeal or matter before the Supreme Court will be heard and disposed of by a bench constituted by a committee comprising the CJP and two senior most judges in order of seniority.

It further states any matter invoking exercise of original jurisdiction under clause (3) of Article 184 of the constitution will be first placed before the committee for examination.

If the committee is of the view that a question of public importance with reference to the enforcement of any of the fundamental rights is involved then it will constitute a bench comprising not less than three judges of the apex court, which may also include the members of the committee for adjudication of the matter.