The decision, which was unanimous, has dashed the hopes of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who intended to contest his lifelong disqualification from holding public office.

The law, the Supreme Court (Review of Judgments and Orders) Act 2023, was passed by the government of Pakistan in May. It established the right to appeal against convictions made by the Supreme Court under its original jurisdiction.

The Supreme Court ruled that the law was unconstitutional because it interfered with the court's ability to review its own judgments. The court said that the law was an attempt to "weaken the independence of the judiciary."

The decision is a major setback for Sharif, who had hoped to use the law to challenge his disqualification. Sharif was disqualified from holding public office in 2017 on charges of corruption. He has denied the charges.

The Supreme Court's decision is a victory for the rule of law in Pakistan. It sends a strong message that the judiciary will not tolerate attempts to interfere with its independence. (ILKHA)