Nawaz Sharif And Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Agree On Constitutional Amendments

In a significant development for Pakistan's political landscape, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have reached a consensus to introduce constitutional amendments in Parliament. This decision was made during a meeting held at the Punjab House, where both leaders discussed the pressing need for judicial reforms and constitutional changes. The two parties have agreed to further consult with other political factions to establish a timeline for this process.

The meeting, which took place on Thursday, saw Nawaz Sharif warmly welcoming Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his delegation. The discussions primarily revolved around the current political situation in the country and the necessity of amending the constitution to enhance the judicial framework. Notable attendees from the PML-N included Maryam Aurangzeb, Rana Sanaullah, and Ahsan Iqbal, while the PPP delegation featured prominent figures such as Yousaf Raza Gillani and Khursheed Shah.

It is important to note that the ruling coalition has been striving to pass a Constitutional Amendment Package, although previous attempts have not yielded successful results. The proposed amendments, as outlined in an earlier working paper for the 26th Constitutional Amendment, include the establishment of a parallel Federal Constitutional Court alongside the Supreme Court. This new court would have a Chief Justice serving a term of three years, with a retirement age set at 68.

One of the key proposals suggests that any member of parliament who votes against party instructions will have their vote disregarded. Furthermore, the authority to appoint the Chief Justice of both the Supreme Court and the new Constitutional Court would be transferred to the Prime Minister, based on recommendations from an eight-member committee of the National Assembly.

Among the notable amendments is a change to Article 48 of the Constitution, which would prevent any court or authority from questioning the advice given by the Prime Minister or Cabinet to the President. Additionally, amendments to Article 63 would ensure that votes cast against party directives are not counted, thereby reinforcing party discipline.

The proposed changes also include the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court, which would consist of seven judges, including representatives from each province and expert judges. Notably, individuals holding dual nationality would be barred from serving as judges in either the Supreme Court or the Constitutional Court. The retirement age for judges of the Constitutional Court would be set at 68, and any judge transferred from the Supreme Court would serve a term of three years.

These sweeping changes are part of the government’s broader initiative to reform the judiciary and streamline the constitutional framework. However, the proposed amendments have sparked considerable debate, with coalition partners expressing concerns over the lack of transparency in the drafting process. The government maintains that these amendments are designed to strengthen judicial independence and enhance the rule of law in Pakistan.

If these changes are passed, they could significantly reshape the legal landscape of the country, affecting how judges are appointed and how parliamentary votes are counted. As Pakistan navigates these complex political waters, the outcome of these proposed amendments will be crucial in determining the future of its governance and judicial integrity.