ISLAMABAD: The 26th Amendment has been challenged in the SCP on Friday (8th Nov. 2024) by Akhtar Mengal, Fahmida Mirza; Mohsin Dawar, and Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar.

Another similar petition was filed by a number of former parliamentarians and an ex president of Sindh High Court Bar Association. As President Asif Ali Zardari gave consent here on 21st October to the 26th Constitutional Amendment, International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) termed it a blow to judicial independence.

It may be recalled that the National Assembly passed the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill with two-thirds majority here on 21st October, 2024. While the government needed support of 224 MNAs in the 336-member Assembly, it got 225 votes enabling the Bill pass with more than 2/3rds majority.

Bill sailed through the Senate with the support of 65 (2/3rds) senators, bulldozing 4 votes against it. Earlier in the day, Federal Cabinet during a meeting held under the Chairmanship of the PM Shehbaz Sharif, had approved the final draft of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

Following a briefing on the final draft, given by the Minister for Law and Justice, PM Shehbaz Sharif said the cabinet made the best decision in the broader national interest. He claimed that following the stability of the national economy a milestone had been achieved for the rule of law in Pakistan. Thanking the coalition parties, he appreciated the efforts of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and others.

Newspakistan.tv