ISLAMABAD: Cabinet meeting is scheduled for Sunday at 2:30 pm to discuss and potentially approve the 26th Amendment to Pakistan’s Constitution.
The meeting, held in the Prime Minister’s Chamber on Saturday night at the Parliament House, saw the attendance of key government officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Attorney General Mansoor Usman, and prominent cabinet members such as Ishaq Dar and Azam Nazir Tarar.
Minister of Law and Justice provided a comprehensive briefing on the amendment. The cabinet members, including representatives from parties like Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Pakistan Muslim League-Q, and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, were taken into confidence regarding the proposed changes.
The amendment is designed to introduce key judicial reforms, particularly in the formation of constitutional benches within the Supreme Court.
It proposes establishing a fixed 5 or 9-member bench for constitutional matters, with restrictions on the Chief Justice’s powers to alter these benches.
The amendment also aims to limit the court’s suo motu powers and suggests changes to the process for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner.
Additionally, it calls for the restoration of provisions from the 18th Amendment, reversing some effects of the 19th Amendment.
In preparation for the amendment’s introduction in the National Assembly and Senate, coalition parties, including the PPP and PML-N, are rallying their members to ensure full attendance.
The amendment has sparked extensive discussions, with some parties like JUI-F seeking consensus, while others like PTI have distanced themselves from the dialogue.
This cabinet meeting is crucial, as the government’s approval will determine the final shape of the amendment before it is presented to the legislative bodies.
