The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued a significant ruling emphasizing that judicial and quasi-judicial bodies must guarantee the right to a fair hearing and due process before implementing any negative measures. Authored by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, the ten-page judgment highlights that Article 10A of the Constitution establishes a fair trial as a fundamental right. The court's decision came while dismissing an appeal filed by the Punjab government, which had contested a Lahore High Court ruling regarding the cancellation of land by the revenue department without providing the affected party an opportunity to be heard. The three-judge bench underscored that providing an audience to all parties involved is a primary requirement of legal due process, and authorities are now strictly obligated to verify that this right is upheld in every case.
Source : The Express Tribune
Photo : The Express Tribune
