PPP proposes provincial constitutional courts in line with federal structure

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has released a draft of constitutional amendments, proposing more than 20 changes, including the establishment of provincial constitutional courts in line with federal structures.

According to the draft received by Express News, the PPP has suggested amendments to Articles 175, 191, 189, 175B, 209A, and 210, with an additional amendment proposed for Article 175AA.

The draft states that a federal constitutional court should be established under the new constitutional amendments, with the Chief Justice serving a term of three years. 

The PPP's proposal aims to mirror the federal model by recommending the creation of provincial constitutional courts as well.

Through Article 191AA, the PPP has introduced a provision for separate constitutional courts in each province, including the suggestion for a separate Chief Justice for the provincial constitutional court. 

These courts are proposed to be established in provincial capitals, with judges appointed by an eleven-member committee. 

The Chief Justice of the constitutional court would head the committee responsible for appointing judges to both federal and provincial constitutional courts.

The proposed amendments indicate that two members from the National Assembly and the Senate would be included in the judges' committee. 

A three-member committee, led by the Chief Justice of the provincial constitutional court, would submit the names of judges to the constitutional committee. The draft also outlines a procedure for the removal of judges under Article 209.

Moreover, the proposed amendments state that a five-member commission, headed by the Chief Justice of the constitutional court, would have the authority to remove judges. 

This commission would consist of the Chief Justice of the constitutional court, two senior judges, and two judges from the provincial constitutional court. 

An constitutional commission would be established to oversee the appointment of judges, and a similar commission at the provincial level would manage judicial appointments in Pakistan.