26th Constitutional Amendment draft presented in Senate

ISLAMABAD: Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar presented the draft of the 26th constitutional amendment in the Senate, here on Sunday.

The move came after the approval of the much-discussed draft amendments in a federal cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has earlier said that the party will not vote in favor of the 26th constitutional amendment.

However, he said that Tehreek-e-Insaaf will present its position in the National Assembly and the Senate of Pakistan.

Barrister Gohar said that PTI founder Imran Khan had directed him to consult on the seriousness of the legislation.

“We don’t have time for further consultation, and the way this bill has been implemented and the way our MPs have been harassed, PTI cannot vote for this bill,” he declared.

The draft proposes changes in several articles of the Constitution of Pakistan as the federal government aims to bring about judicial reforms.

The draft 26th Constitutional Amendment proposed amendments to Article 28, Section 4 of Article 48, Article 111 and Article 175 on appointment of judges.

According to the proposed amendments, a committee will be constituted for the appointment of judges of the Supreme Court.

The committee will have two Members of National Assembly (MNA) and two Senators with equal representation in the Finance Ministry and Opposition Benches.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan will nominate one Senator and one MNA while the members of the opposition will nominate the Leader of the Opposition.