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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the petitions challenging the government’s proposed 26th constitutional amendments after the petitioners withdrew their pleas.
The constitutional package aims to establish a federal constitutional court and set a three-year tenure for the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP).
A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, heard the joint petition filed by Abid S Zubairi, former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, and other Pakistan Bar Council members.
During the hearing, lawyer Hamid Khan requested the withdrawal of the petitions, prompting the CJP to question whether the petitioners had hired Hamid solely for this purpose.
The CJP Qazi Faiz Isa noted that Abid Zubairi and the other petitioners could have withdrawn the petition themselves.
“Abid Zubairi could have withdrawn the petition himself, Six lawyers had filed the petition; they could have appeared before the court themselves to withdraw it,” the CJP added.
The petitioners sought to declare that the separation of powers, judicial independence, and fundamental rights are sacrosanct under the Constitution and beyond Parliament’s power to alter. They also requested an injunction to prevent the bill from being enacted.
Other petitioners had similarly challenged the amendments in the Supreme Court and various high courts, arguing they violate the Constitution’s basic framework.
Notably, top political parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, had forged a consensus on the amendments just a day before the petition withdrawal.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Ishaq Dar held a joint press conference after dinner at Jati Umra, announcing a breakthrough in judicial reforms.
The trio confirmed that their parties have reached a consensus on this critical issue, with Rehman emphasizing that negotiations are ongoing for other areas of agreement.
Rehman revealed plans to meet with PTI leaders in Islamabad to garner support for the proposed judicial reforms. He expressed optimism about achieving a broader consensus, stating, “We are working towards consensus on other points as well, and I will also try to reach an agreement with PTI on the matter of judicial reforms.”
Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced a nationwide protest on Friday, October 18, 2024, against proposed constitutional amendments and the mistreatment of Imran Khan, PTI’s Founder Chairman.
The decision was made during a meeting of PTI’s Political Committee, chaired by Barrister Gohar, where they vowed to strongly oppose the constitutional changes.
The PTI urges all sections of society who believe in the Constitution’s supremacy to join the peaceful protests, emphasizing that the government’s attempt to alter the Constitution will not be accepted.
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