ISLAMABAD: Sherry Rehman, the parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the Senate, responded to concerns raised by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Zafar during a Senate session on Sunday. Zafar had expressed reservations about the proposed constitutional amendment.
Rehman clarified that neither Zafar nor Barrister Gohar Ali Khan provided any proposals or input on the amendment during the committee discussions. She emphasized that the amendment does not aim to undermine the judiciary but instead addresses a system that she believes is already dysfunctional.
“We had invited Ali Zafar to join the parliamentary committee and requested his suggestions,” Rehman stated, addressing the media after Zafar’s speech. “Neither he nor Barrister Gohar gave any proposals. The judicial system in Pakistan has collapsed, and we are working to address that.”
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She also highlighted the PPP’s role in shaping Pakistan’s constitution. “The PPP laid the foundation of this constitution. This amendment is not an attack on the judiciary. When Parliament asserts its rights, it is often accused of politicising issues. However, many individuals have made sacrifices to reach this point.”
Rehman Challenged PTI’s Opposition
Rehman further defended the amendment, arguing that Parliament’s involvement in the appointment of judges is not problematic. “If Parliament has a role in the appointment of judges, what is wrong with that?” she asked, directly challenging PTI’s opposition. She criticized PTI for discussing an “outdated bill” rather than providing relevant recommendations.
Rehman dismissed claims that the amendment would damage judicial independence, noting that it is uncommon for judges to independently decide appointments without any parliamentary input. “It is unheard of in any country for judges to decide for themselves who will be appointed and who will advance,” she remarked.
The senator also praised PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for his efforts in pushing the amendment forward. She explained that the bill addresses the rights of provinces, which are at risk under current circumstances. “We must not allow our rights to be taken away,” she stressed.
In her closing remarks, Rehman called on PTI and other opponents of the amendment to specify their concerns clearly. She suggested that the amendment should be compared with similar legislation from other countries to provide a better understanding of its implications. “Instead of vague objections, let’s compare this amendment with laws from other countries and see what works best for Pakistan,” she proposed.
The proposed amendment remains a significant point of contention between the PPP-led government and PTI, with both sides presenting differing views on judicial reforms. As the debate continues, Rehman’s comments reflect the PPP’s determination to advance the bill, while inviting critics to engage constructively with the legislative process.
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