President Zardari approves historic 26th Constitutional Amendment

English , Pakistan - پاکستان , Snippets , / Monday, October 21st, 2024

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ISLAMABAD, October 21: President Asif Ali Zardari has given his formal assent to the 26th Constitutional Amendment, marking a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s legislative history. The amendment, aimed primarily at judicial reforms, became law following approval by both the National Assembly and Senate with a two-thirds majority.

The 26th Amendment introduces significant changes to the judiciary’s structure and authority. Key reforms include limiting the term of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to three years, curbing the Supreme Court’s suo motu powers, and empowering the prime minister to appoint the next CJP from among the three most senior judges.

Parliament worked into the early hours of Monday to finalize the bill. The Senate passed the 22-clause version of the amendment with overwhelming support on Sunday. After incorporating suggestions from the Senate, the National Assembly approved an expanded 27-clause version in a session that extended past 5 a.m.

Following parliamentary approval, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif forwarded the bill to President Zardari, who gave his assent, officially enacting it as “The Constitution (26th Amendment) Act, 2024.” A notification issued by the National Assembly Secretariat and published in the Gazette confirmed the President’s approval.

The successful passage of the amendment reflects the ruling coalition’s ability to achieve consensus on critical reforms and is expected to shape Pakistan’s judicial landscape for years to come.