A unanimous resolution by the All Pakistan Lawyers Representatives emphasized that legislation and constitutional amendments should not conflict with the constitution’s basic structure. During a meeting at the Supreme Court Bar Complex in Islamabad, attended by numerous legal professionals, the group called on the government to publicly release the proposed constitutional amendment bill through advertising.
The lawyers’ body met with Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, who provided detailed answers to their inquiries. The resolution stated that while Parliament has the authority to legislate and amend the constitution, any changes must align with the constitution’s fundamental principles. They stressed that any constitutional package would be ineffective without consulting the legal community.
The proposed amendments, which reportedly include potential extensions to the tenure of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and changes to judges’ retirement age, pose challenges for the coalition government, which lacks the necessary two-thirds majority to pass them in Parliament.
Additionally, the lawyers called for the Supreme Court Bar Association’s constitutional petition regarding Article 63-A to be scheduled for hearing. They urged all parties to avoid actions that threaten democracy and the Constitution.
The lawyers also insisted that the government should finalize the 26th constitutional amendment only after engaging with lawyers’ unions. Tensions have risen between the treasury and opposition benches over the proposed amendments, with the government struggling to secure the required parliamentary support.
After failing to gain the necessary backing from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the government has decided to “indefinitely postpone” the introduction of the constitutional package. Meanwhile, opposition parties, including PTI and JUI-F, criticized the government for its lack of transparency regarding the amendments, insisting that the original draft should be presented for debate in Parliament before any approval.
