The federal cabinet approved the long-awaited 26th constitutional amendment draft on Sunday, which aims to bring judicial reforms, including extending the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan. This approval indicates that the ruling coalition has gathered enough support to pass the amendment, requiring 224 votes out of 336 members. The draft will soon be presented in the Senate, scheduled to convene at 3 pm.
After the cabinet’s decision, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari congratulated supporters and thanked JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his backing, reassuring that the bill contains nothing controversial, despite concerns raised by legal experts.
Earlier, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah affirmed that the constitutional amendment would pass by Sunday at all costs. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar hinted that the government had backup plans ready to ensure the bill’s success.
The amendment, described as the 26th constitutional reform, proposes changes to the process of appointing the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and sets the Chief Justice’s tenure at three years. Even if the Chief Justice reaches the retirement age of 65 during this term, they will be considered to have completed a full three-year service.
Additionally, the draft introduces measures for high court judges whose performance is deemed unsatisfactory, giving them a chance to improve before the Supreme Judicial Council takes further action. The draft also includes the formation of a constitutional bench.
The amendment needs a two-thirds majority in the lower house, translating to 224 votes. Out of 336 members, the National Assembly currently has 312 active members, with 24 seats still unresolved or vacant. The government’s coalition holds 213 members, with 222 expected if JUI-F support is included. They would need to secure just two more votes from independent members.
PTI, led by Gohar Ali Khan, announced a boycott of the voting process but suggested that two of its senators, Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur and Faisal Saleem Rahman, might vote in favor of the bill.
