Moves to 'enslave judiciary'spark fury

Sherpao questions government's 'true agenda' in changes to SC (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023

ISLAMABAD:

As the government's efforts to push through its controversial constitutional amendments ran out of steam, opposition parties on Friday sounded the alarm, accusing the ruling coalition of a fresh bid to tighten its grip on the judiciary.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman lambasted the government for attempting to "enslave" the judiciary under the cloak of constitutional amendments, following a blueprint similar to what was seen in parliament.

"It's a power grab, plain and simple," he said while urging all democracy supporters to take to the streets.

"Opposition parties must unreservedly reject these amendments," he asserted.

Meanwhile, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao strongly condemned the government for bringing the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Amendment Ordinance 2024 that amended the law to clip the top judge's powers of bench formation.

He termed the new law, which curtails the top judge's power to form benches, a desperate move to rein in judicial authority after the government's constitutional amendment plans fell flat.

In a statement, the QWP chairman said that the government faced humiliation in the dead of night over the constitutional amendment.

He accused the ruling coalition and powerful institutions of resorting to new tactics following their inability to pass the amendment.

Sherpao expressed concerns about the motives behind the ordinance, stating, "The ordinance amending the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act, and Article 184 appears to serve specific purposes."

He further implied that the ordinance seemed to be aimed at curbing the judiciary's authority.

"What is the government afraid of?" Sherpao asked, suggesting that there are hidden objectives behind the government's actions.

"Why such haste in bringing a controversial ordinance, as if the country has no other pressing issues?" Sherpao questioned.

Meanwhile, JI emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman further remarked that demanding re-elections is akin to strengthening those who merely polish boots. "With Form 45 in hand, there is no need for re-elections," he asserted, calling for a judicial commission to investigate electoral fraud.

Rehman also criticised the Punjab government, led by Maryam Nawaz, for allegedly undermining education in the province.

"We will not accept the privatization of 14,000 schools; we will launch a movement against it," he declared.

Additionally, he announced that the Rawalpindi Agreement will conclude on September 23, and a future course of action will be unveiled on September 24.

He highlighted that a week of solidarity with Palestine will be observed on October 7.

Amid controversy over the constitutional amendment bill, parliament and judiciary's face-off over reserved seats' issue and other key political happenings, sources said Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar cancelled his visit to the United States at the last moment to look after the engagements of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his trip to Washington.