Key Details of Proposed Constitutional Amendments Ahead of National Assembly and Senate Sessions

Before the constitutional amendments are tabled in the National Assembly and Senate, details of the proposed constitutional package have emerged. The package includes more than 50 clauses, introducing significant changes to judicial appointments, representation, and procedural reforms. Here are the major highlights:

1. Appointment of the Chief Justice of Pakistan

• The Chief Justice of Pakistan will be appointed by a panel of five senior Supreme Court judges.
• The government will choose the Chief Justice from among the five most senior judges.
• Additionally, the government will appoint the other four judges of the Constitutional Court from the same panel.

2. Transfer of High Court Judges

• There is a proposal to allow High Court judges to be transferred to High Courts in other provinces, which would bring flexibility in judicial appointments and transfers across provinces.

3. Revised Judicial Appointment Process

• A new system will bring together the Judicial Commission and the Parliamentary Committee for the appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.

4. Increased Representation for Balochistan

• The package proposes increasing seats in the Balochistan Assembly from 65 to 81 to ensure better representation for the province in the legislative process.

5. Changes to Articles in the Constitution

• Article 63: Amendments relate to the power of party leaders, including voting by dissenting members.
• Article 51: Involves reserved seats in the assemblies.
• Article 175: Deals with the appointment of Supreme Court judges.
• Article 181: Focuses on the temporary appointment of judges.
• Article 184-186: Addresses automatic notices, appeals, and the Supreme Court’s role in presidential clarifications.
• Article 187: Outlines the Supreme Court’s structure and the process for appointing judges in High Courts.

These proposed amendments seek to reform the judiciary and strengthen the constitutional framework, with a focus on transparency, representation, and judicial appointments. If passed, the package would mark a significant shift in the functioning of Pakistan’s legal and parliamentary system.