Significant change to judicial system planned: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced on Monday a constitutional amendment draft will be presented for the approval of both houses of the Parliament this week to bring about significant changes in the judicial system.

Shehbaz announced this while addressing a dinner for the members of parliament of Pakistan Muslim League-N and its allied parties in the Prime Minister’s House. He said certain elements busy in subverting government performance will be rendered helpless through changes in the judicial system, thereby ensuring an environment of public welfare, economic recovery and stability. Shehbaz also asked the coalition MPs to ensure their attendance at the Parliament from Tuesday (today) till the adjournment of the current session.

Sources told daily Jang/The News that the government has acquired a two-thirds majority in both the Houses of Parliament for the proposed constitutional amendment. The government has been assured of the support of thecoalition members. Some others have also pledged support to the government while maintaining their independent role, sources said.

Members of the Parliament, including Major Tahir, Pir Syed Imran Shah, Chaudhry Hussain and Engineer Amir Muqam, have returned home cutting short their visits abroad to cast vote in favour of the proposed legislation.

The two sought-after amendments include clipping powers of the superior judiciary to take suo motu notice and establishing a constitutional court under the Nawaz-Benazir Charter of Democracy signed in June 2006.

Upset with the tone and tenor of the speeches rendered during Sunday’s PTI rally, Shehbaz said they are trying to harm the national institutions by rendering derogatory and inappropriate language about them. He also accused the Imran-led party of spoiling the youth and added the senior PTI leadership employed inflammatory and offensive language which must be strongly condemned. Shehbaz referred to PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif with whose efforts terrorism was brought under control but charged the previous government for bringing them back. “However, we will crush the terrorist elements,” Shehbaz vowed.

The leaders of the allied parties praised the PM’s efforts to bring economic stability. They also expressed full confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In his address, the prime minister claimed the moderate reduction in the inflation rate is a reflection of the government’s efforts to improve the economy. He also said the struggle launched in April 2022 to save the country from default has proved fruitful and the rate of inflation is dropping. He reiterated that all the coalition parties have sacrificed their politics to prevent the country from default. The results of economic reforms have begun to reach the people, Shehbaz said. He further said his foremost priority is to complete the digitisation of the FBR and added rightsizing of the government will bring prosperity to the poor and low-income sections of the nation.