Abbasi slams proposed constitutional amendments

Former PM and APP leader questions government's mandate and proposed amendments' impact on judicial autonomy

ISLAMABAD:

Senior politician Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has strongly opposed the proposed 26th Constitutional Amendment, stating that undermining the judiciary’s independence is not a solution to past mistakes.

In a statement on the prposed amendments, Abbasi, an Awam Pakistan Party leader, voiced concerns over the government's actions, questioning its mandate.

He warned that the proposed amendment would severely impact the judiciary's autonomy.

"The proposed law allowing the transfer of High Court judges will be used to put them under pressure," Abbasi said, further stating that this would weaken the protection of citizens' fundamental rights.

He also criticised the introduction of a Federal Constitutional Court, suggesting it would diminish the role of Supreme Court judges.

Abbasi also raised alarms over the potential expansion of military court trials, describging them as a direct assault on civil liberties.

"Destroying judicial independence is not a remedy for the bad decisions of the past," Abbasi concluded, firmly opposing any move that threatens the core values of the justice system.

He has previously called for Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa to retire after completing his tenure, amidst what he described as political instability and chaos in the country.

Furthermore, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on October 11 expressed conditional support for the government's proposed constitutional amendments, emphasising the need for consensus among political forces.

Following a Special Committee of Parliament meeting, Rehman said: “We are trying to remove the controversial contents from the draft.”

He added that the public had rejected the government’s initial draft.

The constitutional package aims to establish a federal constitutional court and set a three-year tenure for the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP).

The government initially attempted to present the amendments last month, but faced resistance from both allies and opposition members, prompting a consultation process.