The proposed draft of the 26th constitutional amendment by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) has been made public, introducing significant changes to the appointment of the Chief Justice of Pakistan. According to the draft, the most senior judge will automatically assume the position of Chief Justice, eliminating the need for a panel of judges.
The 27-point JUI-F draft does not mention the establishment of a 12-member parliamentary committee for judicial appointments. It also removes the concept of a panel of three judges, instead stating that the senior-most judge will be appointed as Chief Justice.
Under Article 175A, the draft proposes that the Chief Justice of Pakistan will chair the Judicial Council, with three senior Supreme Court judges, the Law Minister, and the Attorney General as members. Additionally, the Supreme Judicial Council will include four members of parliament and one female or non-Muslim member.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, in a media briefing yesterday, said that opposition parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have requested time until tomorrow to present their response. Afterward, the constitutional amendment will be presented in parliament for approval.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman further stated that all objections raised by the opposition regarding the government’s draft have been addressed and excluded. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari added that the opposition is keen for JUI-F to present the 26th constitutional amendment in parliament for further discussion and approval.
