Pakistan National Assembly Session to Finalise Passage of 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill After Senate Approval

The Senate recently approved Pakistan's 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, limiting the Chief Justice's term to three years. The National Assembly is now deliberating on the bill, which requires 224 votes to become law. The Senate passed the bill with a 65-4 vote, surpassing the needed two-thirds majority. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar introduced the bill, which includes 22 amendment clauses.

Senate Approval and Coalition Support

The bill's passage was aided by support from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and Balochistan National Party-Mengal senators. Despite BNP-M's initial stance to abstain, they voted in favour. "Sixty-five members are in favour of the motion regarding the bill and four oppose the bill….and consequently the bill has been passed," announced Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani.

A new 12-member commission will appoint the Chief Justice for a three-year term. The National Assembly must also approve the bill with a two-thirds majority before it reaches the president for final approval. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a cabinet meeting that approved the draft, citing national interest and public welfare.

Political Reactions and Criticisms

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Ali Zafar criticised his party's lawmakers for allegedly being coerced into supporting the bill. He claimed senators feared abduction if they opposed it. "It is against the law and morality that coercion is being applied to get the amendment approved," he stated in the Senate.

Despite PTI's decision to boycott voting, Zafar attended to express his party's stance. Meanwhile, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated his party had no objections but would not vote on the bill. "Our leader Imran Khan will always have the final say on party decisions," said Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.

Government's Determination and Security Measures

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari of Pakistan People's Party emphasised that the government would proceed with the amendment regardless of opposition support. "We have waited for as long as we could, and today, under any circumstance, this work will be completed," he told reporters.

Strict security measures are in place for the National Assembly session, with guest entry prohibited. A constitutional amendment requires separate approval from both houses with a two-thirds majority. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif expressed confidence in securing enough votes.

The amendment aims to prevent Justice Masoor Ali Shah from succeeding Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa upon his retirement on October 25. The proposal to extend judges' retirement age from 65 to 68 is not included in this amendment. The government must pass it before October 25 to establish the special panel.

To pass in the National Assembly, 224 votes are needed out of 336 members. Currently, the coalition holds 213 seats. The government previously delayed presenting the bill due to lack of support from Rehman’s party.