FCC Struck Down in Reviewing Supreme Court Decisions

In Islamabad, the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) issued a ruling this week, emphasizing clear limits on its power to review final decisions made by the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan stated that the Constitution does not permit endless litigation and restricts the FCC’s authority to only extraordinary cases of public importance.

Underlining these restrictions, Justice Khan ruled that land compensation disputes between individuals are private matters exempt from review under Article 184(3)’s exceptional powers. The court dismissed a petition seeking review against a Supreme Court decision dated September 12, 2024, which had overturned an earlier favorable ruling by a three-member bench.

The case involved the petitioner’s dispute with the Multan Development Authority regarding land compensation. The petitioner argued that they had prevailed in 2015 when a three-member Supreme Court bench ruled in their favor. However, this was subsequently overturned by a two-member bench in 2022, prompting the individual to seek review.

Justice Khan’s verdict highlighted the Constitution’s intention to curb frivolous litigation and insisted that every legal dispute must conclude definitively. He stressed that while land compensation is legally significant, it does not qualify as a public interest case under Article 184(3), which grants extraordinary powers for cases of public importance or urgency.

This decision leaves the matter closed once the Supreme Court denies review, reinforcing the principle that final judgments are final and non-reversible. The ruling underscores the FCC’s role in strictly adhering to its limited authority, ensuring that judicial processes remain efficient and focused on matters of true public interest.