By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The ruling coalition has secured crucial support from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) for their proposed judicial reform package, aimed at overhauling the country’s judiciary.
The breakthrough came after a meeting between leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and JUI-F at the Sharif family residence in Lahore.
“The three parties have agreed on judicial reforms in constitutional amendment. Consensus will be achieved on other proposed amendments in coming days,” PML-N’s Ishaq Dar told reporters.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed optimism, citing progress toward consensus. “We are heading towards consensus,” Rehman said, vowing to engage with former Prime Minister Imran Khan’ Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to bring them on board. “After reaching Islamabad, I will talk to the PTI about the proposed amendments and try to take it on board.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led ruling coalition government has been trying to pass a set of constitutional amendments since last month that the country’s opposition and prominent lawyers say is aimed at granting more power to the executive in making judicial appointments. The government denies the allegations and says the amendments aim to provide speedy justice to thousands of litigants and ensure the parliament’s supremacy remains intact.
The proposed amendments are expected to establish a federal constitutional court, raise the retirement age of superior judges by three years, and modify the process for the appointment of chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Sharif’s key coalition ally, the PPP has been spearheading negotiations with political parties and the legal fraternity after the government failed to muster the required two-thirds majority in parliament last month to get the amendments passed.
The government is pushing for constitutional amendments to alter the process of appointing the Chief Justice. The move comes as Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa is set to retire on Oct 25, with Justice Mansoor Ali Shah next in line for the top spot. However, the government, its ally PPP, and the military establishment are reportedly against Shah’s appointment.
According to the current law, Justice Shah will automatically become the Chief Justice. But the proposed amendments aim to change the appointment procedures and appointing body.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari confirmed consensus among PML-N, PPP, and JUI-F. “The consensus that was reached between two parties, the PPP and JUI-F, on proposed drafts yesterday (Tuesday); today it is among three parties: PML-N, PPP and JUI-F,” Bhutto-Zardari said. “The Constitution will be protected, and swift justice ensured through the proposed constitutional court.”
However, differences remain over the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench composition. A senior PPP leader expressed hope for JUI-F’s agreement on a separate constitutional court.
President Asif Ali Zardari summoned Senate and National Assembly sessions for Thursday, sparking speculation that the ruling coalition aims to pass the amendments this week.
Meanwhile, the PTI has planned nationwide protests on Friday against the proposed amendments.
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