The Supreme Court Practice and Procedure bill which limits the powers of the chief justice to take suo-motu notices and form benches, was hurriedly passed by the Senate on Thursday.**

The house rejected a motion to send the bill to a standing committee and instead put it up for passing immediately. When counted, 60 members voted in favour of the legislation and 19 voted against.

PTI leader Shehzad Wasim termed the bill as an attack on the judiciary and an attempt to divide the court. Barrister Ali Zafar said that the change cannot be made through a bill and requires a constitutional amendment.

PTI had announced that it would oppose the bill. The decision was made in the party’s parliamentary meeting chaired by leader of the opposition in the Senate Shehzad Wasim on Thursday.

They also formed the strategy for the Senate session.

Senator Faisal Javed said that it has been decided in the party meeting that they will oppose the Practice and Procedure Bill in the Senate.

Faisal Javed further said that the bill should be sent to the committee.

Earlier, the National Assembly on Wednesday passed the bill that cuts the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s powers to form benches and take suo motu notices.

This is a significant move as Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial achieves superannuation and leaves the Supreme Court of Pakistan on September 16. Justice Qazi Faez Isa will be sworn in as chief justice of Pakistan on September 17.

Suo motu is a Latin term for “on its own motion” and means that the top judge could take up any case of their choice.

The bill was passed by a simple majority after the Pakistan People’s Party agreed to withdraw its proposed amendments or changes.

The bill had been introduced on Tuesday after being approved by the cabinet. It had been sent for further deliberation to a standing committee right after being tabled.