PTI delegation leaves without agreement
CJP
tenure extension dropped as govt accepts Fazl's proposal
Shehbaz-led
govt now working on amendment to establish constitutional court
ISLAMABAD: Daily Watts NEws Sep 14, 2024
Photo: Online
A government delegation comprising Law Minister Nazir Tarar and Interior
Minister Mohsin Naqvi called on the JUI-F chief at his residence on Saturday to
discuss the matter.
During
the meeting, the delegation shared details about the proposed constitutional
amendments and judicial reforms. The government had initially considered
extending the retirement age of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, but Mr Fazl
advised against it.
Read also: Gohar warns PTI
leaders of disqualification over changing loyalty
following his suggestion, the government decided to drop the extension plan.
Instead,
the government is now working on a constitutional amendment to establish a
Constitutional Court. The proposal will be presented in the cabinet meeting
tomorrow and is expected to be introduced in parliament on Sunday.
The chief justice of the Constitutional Court will be appointed from the judges
of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Earlier
today, Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar - speaking in the Senate - referred
to the Charter of Democracy, emphasizing that the establishment of a
Constitutional Court was one of its provisions.
RELATED: Govt to present judiciary-related amendment in parliament on
Sunday
"If
we can finally do it after 18 years, we should," Dar said, adding that 25%
of the Supreme Court's cases are constitutional, and a separate Constitutional
Court would help reduce the backlog.
PTI delegation leaves without agreement
Meanwhile,
a delegation from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also held talks with the
government on the proposed constitutional amendment. However, the PTI
delegation left without reaching an agreement.
Sources said that the PTI leaders, who had initially shown interest in the
judicial reforms, could not find common ground with the government over the
proposed changes.
Despite
today being a designated holiday, both the Senate and National Assembly are
scheduled to meet for their regular sessions. While the constitutional
amendment is not officially on the agenda, it may be introduced as a side issue
during the meetings.
The Senate is set to meet at 4 PM, while the National Assembly session will
begin at 3 PM.
Sources
suggest that amendments to Articles 179 and 195, along with an increase in the
retirement age for government employees, could be tabled as part of the
proposed reforms. If approved, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa would remain in
office for an additional three years.
The
government has reportedly secured the necessary support in both houses for the
amendment’s passage but is still working to bring Maulana Fazlur Rehman and
other coalition members fully on board.
To ensure support, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited lawmakers from
coalition parties to a dinner at the PM House, asking all parliamentarians to
remain in Islamabad until Monday.
