Govt says Constitution permits appointment of ad hoc judges

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Thursday stated that the Constitution allows for the appointment of ad hoc judges.

In an interview, the minister said that the appointment of ad hoc judges is determined not by the Chief Justice but by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. Hence, In his opinion, ad hoc judges should be appointed as the Constitution permits it.

He further stated that constitutional amendments are necessary for reforms in the judicial system and that reports of Chief Justice Justice Qazi Faez Isa's tenure extension are incorrect.

He argued that the debate over extending the service tenure of government employees has arisen due to increased pension costs. There has been an increase in the retirement age of government employees worldwide.

Thus, the government has to pay a heavy amount in pensions.

Tarar further said that the proposal to extend the service tenure of all government employees, including judges, was under consideration.

The authority to amend the constitution lies with the Parliament.

A meeting of the Judicial Commission with Chief Justice is scheduled for late April or early May. The issue of extending the tenure of Chief Justice is also under discussion.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah agreed with the proposal to extend the tenure of Chief Justice. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah had said that the authority to extend the tenure of Chief Justice lies with Parliament.

Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the recent decisions of the Supreme Court have provided an opportunity for a certain group to strengthen. Eight judges have declared the constitutionality of specific seats.

MPs who were sent home without hearing are also coming in review. The issue of imposing Article 6 on PTI leaders can be brought to Parliament.

They said that PTI was not demanding a no-confidence session. A reference was made to the court. In the presence of a no-confidence motion, the assemblies analyzed and PTI violated the constitution.

PTI leaders have a genuine case against Article 6. The court also said that PTI took unconstitutional action by analyzing the assemblies. There may be a debate in Parliament on Article 6.

They said that last year's decision not to impose a ban on PTI was taken to maintain a political environment.

Read Law Minister Tarar says SC verdict on reserved seats poses no threat to coalition govt

Previously, dismissing the recommendations of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Tarar on July 9 asserted that the arrest and pending cases against PTI chief Imran Khan were strictly an internal matter of Pakistan.

Addressing concerns, the minister asserted, “Pakistan is a sovereign state, and our courts enforce the Constitution and laws, making decisions accordingly.”

Responding to the United Nations Working Group’s report, Tarar clarified that the PTI founder is in jail as a convicted prisoner.