26th Amendment; How It Empowers The PM?

Web Desk — The 26th Constitutional Amendment comes into effect as President Asif Zardari signed the bill on the recommendation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Several reforms, focussing primarily on key appointments of the superior judiciary, have been introduced in the amendment that both houses of the parliament passed with two-third majority.

The new constitutional amendment empowers the prime minister to appoint the next Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) from the three most senior judges of the Supreme Court and erases the CJP’s suo motu powers. Under this amendment, the CJP’s retirement age is 65, and he will be appointed for three years.

According to the judicial reforms package, the chief justice will now be selected by a parliamentary committee of 12 members of the treasury and opposition benches from the Senate and National Assembly.

The committee will appoint the next CJP, and send the name to the PM who will forward it to the president for final approval.

Key points of the 26th Amendment

The Chief Justice of Pakistan’s (CJP) tenure is three years.

Constitutional benches are to be established in the SC and high courts.

The senior-most judge of each bench will be called the presiding officer.

JCP, led by CJP and three others will appoint the SC judges.

JCP to monitor judges’ performance.

Complete eradication of Riba (interest) from the country by January 1, 2028.

Reaction of PTI on Constitutional Amendment

Omar Ayub, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, told the session that “these amendments are akin to suffocating a free judiciary”. An illegitimate government has no right to amend the constitution.

Ali Amin Gandapur Reaction

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur vows that the PTI will revoke the 26th amendment if it comes to power.

Lawers Announce Countrywide Protest

Senior advocate Hamind Khan, also associated with the PTI, says that lawyers are ready to launch a countrywide movement against this amendment.