Hundreds of lawyers of Pakistan makes a public statement rejecting the draconian amendments.
“In view of the unprecedented proposed assault on the Constitution, the Supreme Court, and the High Courts in the form of a purported "judicial package', we do not accept this violation… pic.twitter.com/cwE9Lt4bTC
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 16, 2024
The government is pushing a controversial constitutional amendment through parliament, aiming to increase the retirement age of superior judges by three years and revise the seniority principle in appointing the top judge. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) fiercely resists these changes, rejecting both the extension of judges’ tenure and the increase in their retirement age. Barrister Aqeel Malik, the government’s legal affairs spokesperson, confirmed that the government is considering amending Article 175A of the Constitution, which currently mandates that the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court be appointed as the Chief Justice of Pakistan based on seniority.
The government also plans to establish a constitutional court and amend Article 63-A, which addresses the defection of lawmakers.
Top Lawyers oppose constitutional amendment bill…
"Amendments made to the Constitution do not lie in the domain of a parliament that lacks national legitimacy. We therefore urge the legal fraternity and the judiciary to resist and reject these”.https://t.co/YncthFqIpp… pic.twitter.com/22ppWVOFoJ— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 16, 2024
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan stressed that such significant changes should only be legislated in the nation’s and country’s best interest, rather than for personal gains. He warned the government against “touching” the Supreme Court and said that if passed, the legislation would tarnish the judiciary’s reputation and compromise the judicial system.
A top Govt functionary insisted that constitutional package have nothing to do with the extension of CJP. When I asked what about the extension in retirement age of judges? The govt official said we are ready to make changes if stake holders don’t agree. https://t.co/BDDMZEFRoo
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) September 15, 2024
Government’s controversial amendment sparks backlash
Advisor to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, called the constitutional amendment treason and an ambush on the Supreme Court. He criticized the government for attempting to introduce a notorious amendment to the Constitution and the Pakistan People’s Party for being in cahoots with the government on the legislation.
A parliament whose own legitimacy is questionable is set to amend the constitution after utilization of coercive tactics to get the necessary votes.
These shenanigans will only further weaken 🇵🇰 and its federation. https://t.co/JeK0kxaXSQ
— Uzair Younus عُزیر یُونس (@UzairYounus) September 14, 2024
PTI chief Gohar condemned the lack of transparency, saying that the content of the legislation had not yet been revealed. He expressed hope that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman would continue to stand for the judiciary and reaffirmed the PTI parliamentarians’ full support for the party’s stance. The government is scrambling to court members from various political parties to press ahead with the legislation.
The proposed amendments have sparked controversy and a political tug-of-war between the government and the opposition.
