Exercise in error

This letter refers to the editorial ‘Epic fail’ (September 17, 2024). The editorial discusses the mishandling of the recently proposed constitutional amendment. It was an error to table these amendments without ensuring a two-thirds majority both in parliament and the senate. This was a unique amendment that was not even shared with the law minister and debated in the house. Making laws to undermine judicial independence does not go well with democratic norms. The proposed establishment of a constitutional court under the cover of reviving the Charter of Democracy is not a serious initiative.

All superior courts are de-facto constitutional courts, in my opinion, and there cannot be a super-supreme court. Such amendments should be avoided as they will do more harm than good to the state. Any attempt to alter position of SC shall be resisted by many in the legal fraternity and civil society. Why create more controversies when we are already overburdened with other pressing national issues?

Mukhtar Ahmed

Karachi