Supreme Court Petition Filed Against 26th Constitutional Amendment
Abu Huraira:
Islamabad:A petition challenging the recently enacted 26th Constitutional Amendment has been submitted to the Supreme Court, urging it to declare the amendment unconstitutional.
The petitioner, Muhammad Anas, asserts that the amendment infringes upon fundamental rights and threatens the judiciary’s independence. According to the petition, the 26th Amendment violates the basic structure of the Constitution, disrupting the balance of powers between the government and the judiciary.
The petitioner specifically challenges changes made to the procedure for appointing the Chief Justice of Pakistan. The petition claims that, following the amendment, the authority to appoint the Chief Justice has been transferred from the judiciary to the government, which undermines judicial independence.
Additionally, the petition raises concerns over changes made to the composition of the Judicial Commission, which is responsible for appointing judges. It argues that these alterations provide the government with undue influence over judicial appointments, compromising the integrity of the judiciary.
The 26th Constitutional Amendment was ratified by President Asif Ali Zardari on October 21, following its passage in Parliament. The amendment received approval in a midnight session after being recommended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Both houses of Parliament passed the amendment with a two-thirds majority.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the amendment as a symbol of national unity, stating that its passage reflects broad consensus and cooperation across political lines. However, the amendment has sparked controversy, with opponents expressing concerns over its implications for judicial independence.
