In the Article 63-A case, Justice Naeem Afghan takes Justice Munib’s place.

The Practice and Procedure Committee, presided over by CJP Justice Qazi Faez Isa, is said to have made the decision during that meeting.

The sources stated that after Justice Munib Akhtar withdrew, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan was added to a five-member bench, and that CJP Isa and Justice Ameenuddin Khan awaited the arrival of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, who did not show up or give notice of his absence.

Justices Ameenuddin, Jamal Mandokhel, Mazhar Alam Miankhail, and Naeem Afghan make up the new bench, which will be presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa. Following his withdrawal from the proceedings, Justice Munib Akhtar constituted a new bench.

Earlier, in a letter to the Court Registrar, Justice Munib expressed his inability to serve on the five-judge panel, claiming that it was improper for the matter to be heard by just four judges.

His second letter, in which he stated that he felt unable to join a bench appointed by the Practice and Procedure Committee, was the catalyst for the hearing’s adjournment. He did not formally disqualify himself.

The hearing before the supreme court is significant because it deals with the critical interpretation of Article 63-A, which deals with the disqualification of legislators for defection.