Khaqan Abbasi challenges 26th Amendment in SHC

Former prime minister and Awaam Pakistan (AP) party convener Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday filed a petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC) challenging the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

The petition seeks a stay order to halt the implementation of the amendment until a final verdict is reached.

It also calls for the suspension of new judicial appointments in high courts and demands the amendment be declared unconstitutional.

The petition was filed through Lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaferii on behalf of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

The federal government, Sindh government, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and others have been named as respondents in the case.

Earlier, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had said that the 26th Amendment had dismantled the structure of checks and balances established by the Constitution, making the judiciary subordinate to the executive.

The parliament passed the 26th Amendment during the night of October 20-21, establishing a three-year term for the chief justice of Pakistan.

Under the amendment, a 12-member parliamentary committee will select the new chief justice from a panel of the three most senior judges.

The committee, consisting of eight members from the National Assembly and four from the Senate, will recommend a candidate to the prime minister, who will forward the name to the president for final approval.

Additionally, a judicial commission, headed by the chief justice, will oversee Supreme Court judge appointments.