Constitutional Amendment
In a strategic move ahead of a crucial vote, four lawmakers backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are expected to support the federal government’s proposed constitutional amendment to increase the retirement age for judges. This comes as the ruling coalition gears up to navigate the numbers game in the National Assembly.
Sources have informed that the PTI-backed lawmakers are joined by two members from Central Punjab, who are affiliated with the Sunni Ittehad Council—an alliance that now includes PTI-supported candidates.
Additionally, one member each from the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and South Punjab, both of whom are currently independent but sit on the opposition benches, are also anticipated to back the amendment.
The proposed legislation, which aims to extend the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s (CJP) tenure to three years, requires 224 votes in the National Assembly for approval. Currently, the ruling coalition is short by 12 votes.
If the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) supports the bill, the government will still need an additional four to five votes to secure a majority.
The amendment, which is set to be tabled in separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate on Saturday, seeks to increase the retirement age for all government employees to 68. It also proposes raising the upper age limit for judges of the superior judiciary to 68 years.
The amendment includes provisions for the appointment of Chief Justices based on seniority, with a three-year term for each Chief Justice. This change is specifically aimed at appointing Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa for a three-year term.
In the event of the resignation of the incumbent Chief Justice, the next senior judge would be appointed for a three-year term.
The government is optimistic about securing the necessary votes in both houses to pass the amendment, although there is a possibility that the matter might be deferred to Sunday.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar discussed the constitutional package during an appearance on Spotlight with Munizae Jahangir, aired on July 17.
He revealed that CJP Isa had expressed concerns about the amendment, emphasizing that such decisions are within Parliament’s purview.
The law minister noted that CJP Isa did not support the amendment but was advised to consult with senior puisne judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, who also reiterated that it was Parliament’s prerogative.
Tarar mentioned that the decision to propose this amendment was partly motivated by the need to address concerns related to the appointment and retirement of judges and to manage the pension bill more effectively.
The government’s efforts to push this amendment forward reflect its strategic maneuvering to ensure its passage amidst a complex political landscape.
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