ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The proposed 26th constitutional amendment reaches its final stage as key details of the draft surfaced on Thursday.
Sources revealed that a suggestion was made to establish a 5 or 9-member constitutional bench instead of constitutional court in the Supreme Court. No such bench would be formed at the provincial level, they said.
According to the draft, the judicial commission would be responsible for constituting the bench, including selection of its head. The chief justice will have no power to alter the composition of the bench.
The draft also proposes a fixed tenure for the constitutional bench. The amendment also suggests removal of the Supreme Court’s suo motu powers.
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Furthermore, the Chief Justice of Pakistan would be appointed from amongst the three most senior judges.
The chief election commissioner’s appointment process is also proposed to be changed in the amendment. In case of a deadlock between the prime minister and the opposition leader, a parliamentary committee will make the final appointment.
Additionally, the draft suggests the full restoration of the 18th Amendment and abolition of the 19th Amendment. Article 63A is also proposed to be amended to ensure party policy during the vote counting.
The draft includes a proposed amendment to Article 48, ensuring that advice sent to the president by the prime minister and cabinet cannot be challenged in any court.