ISLAMABAD: After the successful legislation of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the legal reforms. He stated that they will ensure swift redressal of cases pending with the judiciary.
Addressing his cabinet in Islamabad on Tuesday, the prime minister said, “With the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the people will get quick justice from the judicial system.” He congratulated his team for their efforts in passing the amendment, which he said would ease the judicial process for the common man.
He highlighted that the establishment of constitutional benches will help provide timely justice. “A long consultation with the ruling parties and those in the Opposition was held regarding the 26th Constitutional Amendment,” Shehbaz noted.
The prime minister’s comments came after the ruling coalition secured a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the National Assembly to pass the amendment. The lower house voted with 225 votes in favor, while the upper house had 65 votes.
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PTI’s Boycotted
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party boycotted the voting process, opposing the judicial reforms. Under the new law, the chief justice of Pakistan will be selected by a parliamentary committee and will serve a fixed three-year term. A new constitutional bench will also be formed as part of the reform package.
Following a late-night session that extended from Sunday into Monday, PM Shehbaz sent the amendment to President Asif Ali Zardari for his assent. Once signed, the bill became law, marking a significant shift in the country’s judicial structure.
Under the new system, the incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, who is set to retire on October 25, will send the names of three senior judges to the parliamentary committee. This committee will then select the next CJP and forward the name to the prime minister, who will send it to the president for final approval.
At the cabinet meeting, PM Shehbaz described the reforms as a fulfillment of the Charter of Democracy, a vision first signed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif in 2006. He expressed optimism that the reforms will contribute to the country’s development and prosperity.
He also thanked President Zardari, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for their support. Additionally, he acknowledged the role of his brother, Nawaz Sharif, who he said provided guidance throughout the process.
Key Features of the 26th Constitutional Amendment:
The Chief Justice of Pakistan’s term is fixed at three years.
Constitutional benches will be established in the Supreme Court and high courts.
The senior-most judge of each bench will act as the presiding officer.
A parliamentary committee will nominate the new CJP from a list of the three most senior judges.
The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) will monitor the performance of judges and report concerns to the Supreme Judicial Council.
The amendment also sets a target for the complete eradication of Riba (interest) from Pakistan by January 1, 2028.
PM Shehbaz emphasized that the amendment is a step toward judicial efficiency and progress, ensuring faster justice for the people of Pakistan.
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