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PTI-SIC Skips SPC Meeting to Nominate Pakistan's Next Chief Justice
PTI-SIC members boycott the Special Parliamentary Committee meeting for nominating the next CJP. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah remains a frontrunner as the deadline approaches.
ND
by News Desk
2024-10-22
PTI-SIC Skips SPC Meeting to Nominate Pakistan's Next Chief Justice

The Special Parliamentary Committee (SPC) tasked with nominating the next Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) has delayed its proceedings after members from the PTI-Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) skipped the meeting scheduled for earlier today. The SPC, formed to select the next CJP from among the three most senior Supreme Court judges, was expected to finalise the nomination before Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s retirement on October 25.

 

Senior puisne judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah was previously in line to assume the role of CJP based on seniority. However, the recently enacted 26th Constitutional Amendment has altered the process for CJP appointments, now requiring a recommendation from the SPC. The amendment modified clause 3 of Article 175A, which previously allowed the president to appoint the most senior judge of the Supreme Court as the CJP. Under the new rules, the SPC will choose the CJP from the top three senior-most judges.

 

Justice Shah is currently the senior-most judge, followed by Justices Munib Akhtar and Yahya Afridi. If all three decline the nomination, the next in line would be Justice Aminuddin Khan.

 

The SPC meeting was set for 4 p.m. today, but PTI-SIC members did not attend, delaying the decision. The committee, which was only formed yesterday by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, comprises eight MNAs and four senators, including representatives from PML-N, PPP, PTI, SIC, MQM-Pakistan, and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl.

 

In his remarks, PML-N leader Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that the necessary quorum for the decision was met, as nine members were present. Despite this, the committee decided to make one last effort to convince PTI-SIC members to participate in the session, reconvening later tonight.

 

PTI Central Information Secretary Waqas Akram earlier announced that PTI would not take part in the SPC meeting, calling the 26th Amendment and its passage illegal. PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari reaffirmed this stance, stating that the party would not legitimise what it termed an attack on judicial independence.

 

The SPC is required to send its nomination for the next CJP to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by tonight. The prime minister will then forward the name to President Asif Ali Zardari for the official appointment.

 

The 26th Amendment has been met with both praise and criticism. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed it as a milestone for political and economic stability, emphasizing that it would address judicial delays for the common citizen. On the other hand, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the Karachi Bar Association raised concerns about the transparency and potential political influence on the judiciary, warning that the amendment could undermine judicial independence.

 

As the deadline approaches, the SPC must make a decision that will have far-reaching implications for Pakistan’s judiciary and its future independence.
Tagged:

CJP

PakistanPolitics

PakistanJudiciary

ConstitutionalAmendment

SPC

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