Pakistan Empowers Parliament to Appoint Chief Justice in Constitutional Amendment
Pakistan recently approved a constitutional amendment granting legislators more authority in the appointment of the Supreme Court’s chief justice. The move is seen as a way to diminish the influence of the courts that have favored jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed after lengthy negotiations and an overnight session in the National Assembly, granting the chief justice a fixed three-year term selected by a parliamentary committee.
Leading up to the retirement of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the amendment was passed to prevent his replacement by a judge perceived to be a supporter of Khan and his political party. The amendment also includes the establishment of new groups of senior judges to focus solely on constitutional issues, which had been a point of contention between the government and the courts.
The passing of the bill was celebrated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a step towards parliamentary supremacy, but opposition from the PTI has criticized the amendments as an attempt to stifle an independent judiciary. The changes have raised concerns about the balance of power between branches of the state and may spark further tensions between the legal fraternity and the government.