As the current administration advances its proposed ‘constitutional package,’ which aims to grant authorities greater influence over the judicial process, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has announced that they have secured the necessary votes in both the National Assembly and the Senate for the amendment’s passage.
The proposed changes come amid speculation about extending the tenure of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, who is set to retire in October. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had previously called for an early announcement regarding Isa’s successor.
While the government has been discreet about the specifics of the constitutional package, it has assured that the amendments are not aimed at specific individuals but are designed to reform judicial processes. Key aspects of the package likely include the establishment of a constitutional court, the merger of judicial and parliamentary commissions responsible for selecting judges, and a revision of Article 63-A concerning the disqualification of MPs for defection.
A report by The News indicates that a consensus on increasing the retirement age for superior court judges has yet to be reached, with the PTI threatening nationwide protests if the age limit is altered.
Asif, in an exclusive interview with Geo News, claimed that the government has achieved the necessary majority for the amendment, with support from JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl Rehman, who reportedly had his concerns addressed. The minister expressed optimism that the package would pass and enhance the parliamentary environment.
Regarding the Supreme Court’s recent verdict on reserved seats, Asif criticized the decision as an attempt to obstruct the constitutional amendment, expressing confidence in the government’s success despite the court’s stance.
The details of the amendment bill, which has been closely guarded, reportedly include over 20 clauses that propose significant changes to Pakistan’s judicial and parliamentary systems. These changes involve amendments to Articles 51, 63, 175, 181, and 187 of the Constitution, an increase in the Balochistan Assembly’s representation from 65 to 81 seats, the creation of a constitutional court to handle petitions related to specific articles, inter-provincial transfers of high court judges, and the appointment of the CJP through a five-member panel of top court judges.
For the amendment to be enacted, the government requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament. In the National Assembly, 224 votes are needed, with the current coalition holding 211 seats against the opposition’s 101. The ruling coalition includes the PML-N, PPP, MQM-P, PML-Q, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, PML-Z, ANP, and Balochistan Awami Party. The opposition consists of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), PTI-backed independents, JUI-F, Balochistan National Party, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), and Majlis-e-Wahdat-Muslimeen (MWM).
In the Senate, the government requires 64 votes to pass the amendment, with the current ruling coalition holding 54 seats and needing nine additional votes. The opposition holds 31 seats, including those of PTI, JUI-F, ANP, SIC, MWM, BNP, National Party, PML-Q, and an independent senator.
