Proposed constitutional amendments in Pakistan have stirred controversy as the government seeks to increase its power over the judiciary. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Constitutional Package failed to gain support from the opposition, led by Imran Khan’s PTI party, who called the proposed reforms unconstitutional. The key proposals include creating a new Federal Constitutional Court, raising judges’ retirement age, and revising a Supreme Court ruling on legislators’ votes.
The government needs a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament to pass the amendments, but currently lacks the required votes. The PTI alleges that the amendments are designed to target them and weaken the judiciary’s independence. There are concerns that the proposed changes could shift the balance of power between the executive and judiciary, potentially favoring the military and restricting the Supreme Court’s authority.
Legal experts and analysts have criticized the rushed nature of the amendments and raised questions about the timing, with the incumbent chief justice set to retire soon. They warn that the amendments could have far-reaching implications, including curbing the Supreme Court’s powers and granting special privileges to the military. The opposition’s resistance to the amendments reflects broader concerns about government overreach and the erosion of democratic institutions in Pakistan. The situation remains tense as the government and opposition continue to clash over the controversial proposals.
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