Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Constitutional Amendment Bill: What was the govt trying to do?

    Constitutional Amendment Bill: What was the govt trying to do?

    The coalition government remained unsuccessful last week as it tried to pass the Constitutional Amendment Bill amidst protests by opposition party and senior lawyers. The Government failed to get the magic number to pass the bill with JUI-F President Fazal ur Rehman holding the key. Fazl took the centre stage as opposition and coalition government raced to meet with him to get his support. Ultimately, the government postponed the sessions of Parliament on Sunday indefinitely as the government’s cajoling did not convince JUI-F’s Fazal ur Rehman.

    However, what exactly was the secretive amendments bill? The Current breaks it down for you:

    Article 17

    When the government decides to ban a political party if it threatens the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan, the government shall refer the matter to “Federal Constitutional Court” instead of the Supreme Court

    Article 63A

    Votes given by members of Parliaments against their party directions will be counted and not disregarded.

    Article 175

    Seniority principle for appointment of Chief Justice of Pakistan revised. Under the amendments, the CJP would be appointed based on the recommendation of National Assembly Committee.

    Section 46

    No Court including the Supreme Court or the proposed Federal Constitutional Court would have the authority to call into question any amendment or provision of Constitution made by the Parliament.

    Article 179

    The retirement age for a judge of the Federal Constitutional Court has been raised from 65 to 68 years. Additionally, if a former Supreme Court judge is appointed to the Federal Constitutional Court, they shall hold office for a term of three years. It has also been added that the term of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (CJ SC) shall be three years unless they resign, are removed from office, or attain the age of 65 years.

    Article 184

    All petitions, appeals, or review applications against judgments passed under Article 184, whether pending or filed before the Supreme Court even prior to these constitutional amendments, will now be transferred to the Federal Constitutional Court for adjudication.

    Article 184

    All appeals, petitions, or review applications arising from orders or judgments by High Courts passed under Article 199 (mostly matters related to federal and provincial governments), which are pending before the Supreme Court, shall be transferred to the Federal Constitutional Court for adjudication.

    Article 185

    Any appeal from High Court involving matters of constitutional interpretation would also be heard by the Federal Constitutional Court and not the Supreme Court.


    Article 189

    Decisions made by the Federal Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court on questions of law will be binding on all courts in Pakistan, including the Supreme Court itself.

    However, decisions made by the Supreme Court on questions of law will be binding on all courts except the Federal Constitutional Court.

    Article 190

    All executive and judicial authorities to act in aid of the proposed Federal Constitutional Court. The requirement to act in aid of Supreme Court has been removed.

    Article 192

    The number of High Court judges will now be decided by the Parliament.

    Article 193

    Eligibility criteria for a High Court judge changed as the person must have been an advocate of the High Court for 15 years and have held a judicial office for 15 years instead of 10 years.

    Article 199

    The High Court shall not make any orders against armed forces personnel performing functions under any law related to national security.

    Article 200

    The President would have the authority to transfer a High Court judge on the recommendation of the Judicial Commission.

    Article 202

    The rules for practice and procedure that the High Court may establish are now subject to the Constitution and Parliament, rather than just the Constitution and law.

  • ‘Constitutional amendments will destroy Pakistan’s future,’ warns Imran Khan

    ‘Constitutional amendments will destroy Pakistan’s future,’ warns Imran Khan

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that new constitutional amendments will jeopardise the country’s future.

    Talking to journalists in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said that the formation of a new Federal Constitutional Court is originates from the incumbent government’s fear of the Supreme Court (SC).

    He also claimed that the purpose of constitutional amendments is to keep him in jail.

    “Sitting members in government don’t want to perceive the judiciary as independent,” he added.

    He also alleged that the money and properties of those proposing the amendments are abroad.

    Criticising the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, he said, “The incumbent government wanted to destroy judiciary by reinstating CJP Isa.”

    Khan also said that he had predicted that PTI rally in Lahore on September 21 would be peaceful and historical.

  • JUI-F leader questions need for secrecy in constitutional amendments

    JUI-F leader questions need for secrecy in constitutional amendments

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Hafiz Hamdullah has questioned the need for secrecy in the constitutional amendment drafts that were being prepared for voting in parliaments.

    Appearing in the Geo News programme Geo Pakistan, Hamdullah expressed concern over constitutional amendments, stating, “The coalition parties and opposition parties are completely unaware of the constitutional package that the government proposed. The real draft of the amendments is hidden.”

    He remarked that if the amendments are in Pakistan’s interest, why is the government being secretive.

    He further said, “Poori hakumat Maulana Fazlur Rehman kay haan ya na par khari hai,” and asked suspiciously, Do the amendments aim to make the judiciary independent or control it?

    Responding to party dispute with the incumbent government over proposed amendments, he clarified, “JUI-F’s basic disagreement over constitutional amendments is based on judges extension. JUI-F will answer if the government share a draft with us.”

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Advisor for Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has declared meetings with Chief JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman productive.

    Speaking with the media in the parliament house, Sanaullah disclosed that the Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto, along with Chief JUI-F Rehman, have decided to widen the scope of consultation, which Sanaullah declared beneficial for democracy.

  • Law minister says can bring new legislation in assembly to avoid ‘delayed justice’

    Law minister says can bring new legislation in assembly to avoid ‘delayed justice’

    Law Minister Senator Azam Nazir Tarar told the National Assembly that legislation is underway to take disciplinary action against judges who do not decide cases within a year.

    Responding to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser’s speech in the session, Nazir Tarar said that Parliament has the authority to enact legislation within the constitutional framework.

    “Asad Qaiser is very ‘respectable’ for me as he used to be sitting on the speaker’s chair.

    Shedding light on the contents of the supposed draft, Tarrar said it had “not yet been presented before the federal cabinet as a draft nor in the CCLC (Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases)”

    Addressing the opposition, he added that further scrutiny is still to be done. “We will send you the draft only when our work is done.”

    Defending the proposed constitutional package, the law minister said, “25 crore people have given us the authority, we have to decide the direction of the country and not the Chief Justice deciding the rate of sugar or the installation of electricity poles.”

    Azam Nazir Tarar asserted that he wanted to propose a constitutional court, which was immediately linked to the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan wrongly.

    That constituional court will act like a judicial commission comprising of a chief justice and 7 to 8 judges, he said. All the provinces will be represented in this constitutional court.

    “We want our judges to be held accountable and their performances be reviewed on yearly bases,” Tarrar stated. Additionally, he also said that this will remind the judges enjoying privileges more than anyone else to know that they have to decide for the matters of people from low-income strata to wrap up soonerwhich otherwise don’t happen as it is said, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

    “Because of our weaknesses, we want our cases to go to the Supreme Court and be resolved there because we cannot resolve these cases by sitting together,” the Law minister commented, targeting the community of politicians.

    The Law Minister said that right now the government is bringing the package of Criminal Code which includes 90 different amendments from arrest to registration of FIR, entry of challans, role of prosecution and bails and judgments of cases, time of trial. A judge will be required to decide a case in one year of the trial time otherwise there will be disciplinary action against that judge.

    “I challenge that the opposition can ask any lawyer council about this package and if it is rejected, I will be responsible,” claimed the law minister.

    Earlier,PTI’s Asad Qaiser, while expressing his opinion in the National Assembly session, had questioned the intentions of the treasury benches stating that if the minister does not have the package, then where has this draft came from.

    Asad Qaiser exclaimed, “Is the opposition an enemy of this country? We want you bring the amendments and discuss them here in the House first. Legislation in the dark of the night or in a secretive manner is a stain on the face of the Parliament.”

  • Maryam Nawaz halts pink salt export; industry leader concerned

    Maryam Nawaz halts pink salt export; industry leader concerned

    Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to ensure that the export of pink raw salt is halted.

    Chairing a meeting to review proposals on maximising revenue from the export of pink salt, she stated, “Pink salt is like a treasure trove for Pakistan.”

    She ordered the preparation of a plan to form a value-added industry of pink salt aiming to generate up to thirteen billion dollars in the next three to five years and suggested a comprehensive strategy to improve the export of pink salt.

    For the extraction of minerals in Punjab, CM Punjab Maryam directed to ensure the safety of mining workers and advised them to use modern technology for better output.

    The Founding Chairman of the Salts Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SMAP), Ismail Suttar declared the announcement “immature.”

    Suttar said, “It is very unfortunate to witness repeated mistakes by the government, leading the industry towards a destructive path.”

    “I am surprised at such a remark from the Office of the Chief Minister without considering the opinion of the salt industry stakeholders,” he concluded.

  • Islamabad Anti Terrorism Court grants bail to 10 PTI MNAs

    Islamabad Anti Terrorism Court grants bail to 10 PTI MNAs

    Islamabad’s Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Abul Hasanat Muhammad Zul-Qarnain heard the post-arrest bail applications in a case registered against arrested PTI MNAs in Sangjani police station.

    The court inquired from prosecutor Raja Zahid whether anything has been recovered from Sher Afzal Marwat, Ahmed Chatta and other MNAs who have been nominated in the case, to which the prosecutor replied that nothing has been recovered as yet.

    Later, the court ordered the immediate release of the arrested MNAs by granting post-arrest bail with a bond of Rs 30,000.

    Among the arrested PTI MNAs are Sher Afzal Marwat, Sheikh Waqas, Zain Qureshi, Ahmed Chatta, Aamir Dogar, Yusuf Khan, Naeem Ali Shah, Owais Haider Jakhar, Shah Ahad and Zubair Khan.

    The prosecutor argued that the minimum sentence for the sections invoked in the case was three years, urging the judge to deny the bail.

    However, PTI’s lawyer Sardar Masroof Khan countered that the sections invoked in the case were not applicable, stressing that the district administration had provided a No-Objection Certificates to the party for holding the Sangjani rally on September 8.

    “The case was filed on political grounds and has nothing to do with reality,” Khan said.

  • Main constitutional amendments in controversial new bill revealed

    Main constitutional amendments in controversial new bill revealed

    The proposed constitutional package formulated by the federal government, which contains fifty-four suggestions, has been revealed.

    According to the constitutional amendments draft, article 63 (A) of the constitution states that a member vote against the direction of the parliamentary party will be counted, Geo News reported.

    Article 17 suggests establishing a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), and Article 175 proposes changing the judge’s appointment method.

    The draft proposals suggests that an eight-member National Assembly Committee will send the names of top senior judges to the Prime Minister (PM) for the position of Chief Justice (CJ) of the Federal Constitutional Court. The committee will then choose one CJ out of three recommended names, ruling out the scenario of the most senior judge as CJ.

    However, the first CJ of the FC Court will be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, the President will appoint the first Constitutional Court judges after consulting with the Chief Justice.

    The retirement age of CJ FC Court will be sixty-eight years, and a Supreme Court judge will be appointed for a three-year term in FCC as a judge.

    The draft also read that the Suo Motu authority will be withdrawn from the High Court.

  • Senior lawyers urge Justice Qazi Faez Isa to resign on Oct 25

    Senior lawyers urge Justice Qazi Faez Isa to resign on Oct 25

    Senior lawyers, including the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), have strongly opposed the secretive constitutional package proposed by the government and called upon Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa to hang his robes with honour on October 25, 2024.

    In a letter signed by senior advocates Muneer A. Malik and Faisal Siddiqi, lawyers stressed that Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah will deservedly be the next CJP on the dawn of October 26.

    In the letter, they also urged Justice Isa to “preserve his legacy and not be a nominee for any appointment for any proposed constitutional bench.”

    Both senior advocates recalled that they had acted as legal counsels or supported Justice Isa through their writings against the “unconstitutional and mala fide presidential reference filed against the then Justice Qazi Faez Isa” in 2019.

    SCBA president Shehzad Shaukat cautioned against the secrecy with which the coalition government was trying to pass the supposed amendments and not bringing it to designated forums for open discussion.

    Shaukat pointed out that the SCBA is unlikely to oppose the proposed amendment if it relates to the creation of a constitutional court, which, according to him, is necessary for dispensing justice to common people because the Supreme Court is mostly busy hearing cases of a political nature.

  • Govt’s efforts fail, Senator Irfan Siddiqui confirms constitutional amendments postponed indefinitely

    Govt’s efforts fail, Senator Irfan Siddiqui confirms constitutional amendments postponed indefinitely

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui has confirmed that the government’s late-night hustling and manoeuvring to get JUI-F president Fazal ur Rehman onboard to pass the constitutional amendments have failed, and the amendments have been postponed indefinitely.

    Siddiqui, while talking to Geo News, revealed that the government might take a week or ten days to pass the amendments.

    It should be noted that the draft constitutional amendments were to be presented in yesterday’s parliament session, but the government failed to get the magic number to pass the legislation, so the sessions were adjourned for today.

    While today’s sessions of both houses of parliament will be postponed indefinitely, Siddiqui said, “Our numbers are complete, and not being able to pass the amendments is certainly not a failure.”

    “I do not see any big difference in it, and even if the amendments do not take place, it won’t be a doomsday,” said the senior senator.

    He also said that the problem isn’t with the number of votes but some difference of opinion on some points in the proposed amendments, “which is the right of each political party.”

    Irfan Siddiqui confirmed that Fazal ur Rehman has asked for some time to study the details of the draft.

  • Govt struggles to pass constitutional amendments as JUI-F resists

    Govt struggles to pass constitutional amendments as JUI-F resists

    The incumbent federal government has yet to secure a two-thirds majority in Parliament to approve a controversial constitutional package.

    Despite the government’s claim of having the requisite magic number in the Senate, the government is struggling to pass the amendments. Chief Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Maulana Fazlur Rehman, is resisting voting in favour of the government.

    The magic number to pass the constitutional package in the Senate (Upper House) is sixty-four, whereas the coalition government has confirmed fifty-nine votes.

    Ziauddin and Abdul Moiz Malik

    Meanwhile, JUI-F has five votes in the Senate.

    The government has not shared the constitutional package draft with any party, including Chief JUI-F Rehman, upon which he said, “It is a sensitive issue which should be discussed calmly.”

    Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Omer Ayub Khan said, “They (the government) have no draft with them, and they did not know what to discuss.”

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf declared the constitutional package “a serious piece of legislation” and advised the government not to act hastily.

    The Senate meeting is expected at 12:30 PM today.