Parliamentary committee formation begins for new chief justice appointment

Sources indicate Speaker of NA requested parliamentary leaders to submit names for committee members.

Following the approval of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the process to form a parliamentary committee for the appointment of the chief justice has begun.

Sources indicate that the Speaker of the National Assembly has requested parliamentary leaders to submit names for committee members.

The committee will consist of eight members from the National Assembly and four from the Senate.

The committee's role will be to select the chief justice from a panel of three senior judges submitted by the outgoing Chief Justice three days before retirement.

Once received, the Speaker will forward the panel to the parliamentary committee for a final decision.

A proportional representation formula has been proposed, with one seat allocated to a political party for every 39 members in the National Assembly and every 21 members in the Senate. Based on this formula, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is expected to receive four seats, with three from the National Assembly and one from the Senate.

The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is likely to secure three seats, with two from the National Assembly and one from the Senate. Other parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Sunni Ittehad Council, are expected to receive representation, while the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) will each receive one seat.

The committee will be formed under Article 175A, ensuring that it plays a pivotal role in the selection of the next Chief Justice of Pakistan.

President approves 26th Constitutional Amendment

President Asif Ali Zardari, has officially approved the 26th constitutional amendment, with the gazette notification issued shortly after.

The notification, released by the National Assembly, confirms that the 26th Amendment is now an Act of Parliament and has officially become law.

The amendment, passed by both the Senate and the National Assembly with a two-thirds majority, is now in effect nationwide.

The 26th constitutional amendment has been enacted following the publication of the official gazette, cementing its place within Pakistan’s legal and constitutional framework.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier sent advice on Monday to President Asif Ali Zardari about ratifying the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill into law.

The prime minister had signed the advice on the said constitutional amendment bill after its passage by both the house of the parliament

PM Shehbaz calls 26th amendment a victory

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has praised the unanimous passage of the 26th constitutional amendment by Pakistan’s Parliament, calling it a "shining example of national consensus".

Addressing the joint session after the Senate and National Assembly approved the amendment by a two-thirds majority, Shehbaz said it marks a "great day" in the country’s history.

He noted that the amendment fulfills the incomplete vision of the Charter of Democracy, which was initiated by former leaders Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.

The prime minister expressed that the era of dismissing elected prime ministers is now over, and Parliament has demonstrated its strength and unity.

Shehbaz Sharif commended Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for his sincere efforts in making the amendment a reality and thanked Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his contributions to advancing Pakistan's best interests.

He added that the approval of the amendment sends a strong message that all political parties prioritised the nation’s future over personal interests.

The prime minister concluded by stating that these constitutional amendments will pave the way for easier access to justice and secure Pakistan’s future.