Amendment challenged in apex court

A citizen has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the recently passed 26th Constitutional Amendment, just a day after its enactment.

The federal government has been named as the respondent, with the petitioner urging the court to declare the amendment unconstitutional.

The petition contends that while Parliament has the authority to amend the Constitution with a two-thirds majority, it cannot intrude into judicial affairs.

The petitioner argues that the amendment violates the Constitution's foundational principles and disturbs the balance of power between state institutions.

It contends that the amendment grants the government control over the appointment of the chief justice.

Furthermore, the petition claims that changes to the Judicial Commission's structure pose a serious threat to the independence of the judiciary, which is safeguarded by the Constitution.

In a related development, the 26th Constitutional Amendment has been also challenged in the Sindh High Court (SHC).

Elahi Baksh Advocate, representing the petition filed through Ibrahim Saifuddin Advocate, contends that this amendment compromises the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.