The government is preparing to present a significant constitutional amendment package in the National Assembly, containing over 20 proposed changes. Among the key amendments are revisions to articles 63A, 175, and 187, which focus on judicial reforms, including the appointment and tenure of judges. A major change involves increasing Balochistan’s representation in the Assembly, raising the current number of seats from 65 to 81.
One notable amendment targets Article 63A, which currently allows members of the Assembly to be disqualified for voting against their party. The proposed revision ensures that even if a member casts a vote against party lines, they will not be disqualified, and their vote will count.
Judicial reforms are at the forefront, with proposals to create a new constitutional court to alleviate the Supreme Court’s burden. This court will be led by a retired judge, and a panel of five judges will nominate candidates for the position of Chief Justice. However, the tenure of the Chief Justice will not be extended under these reforms. Provincial high court judges may also be rotated between courts, further streamlining judicial functions.
Additionally, the government aims to merge the Judicial Commission and the Parliamentary Committee, which were previously responsible for judicial appointments, into a single entity. This move comes in response to long-standing demands from Maulana Fazlur Rehman and his party, who have advocated for such reforms since 2010.
The government, confident in its majority, hopes to secure the required two-thirds vote in both the National Assembly and the Senate. However, opposition parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have voiced concerns. PTI claims that some of these amendments may violate the Constitution and has vowed to oppose the changes both in the Assembly and in the courts. Despite limited numbers, PTI plans to stage a strong protest against the government’s move.
With a majority of lawmakers having returned to Islamabad, including Hamza Shahbaz and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, the stage is set for a crucial vote. The government is determined to push the amendments through, but strong resistance from the opposition is expected.
