26th Amendment

The new constitutional amendment has stirred diverse opinions due to its substantial adjustments to judicial powers and processes. Key provisions include limiting the chief justice of Pakistan’s tenure to three years, empowering parliament to recommend judicial appointments, and transferring some of the chief justice’s powers to a newly established parliamentary committee and constitutional benches in both the Supreme Court and high courts.

The amendment has sparked a wide-ranging debate on the separation of powers in Pakistan. Some view it as a necessary rebalancing of authority, while others see it as a threat to judicial independence and democratic integrity. Now, with a new chief justice in place, let us hope that all powerhouses act in Pakistan’s best interests. If we continue to engage in conflicts, it is only ourselves who will ultimately bear the consequences.

Sajid Awan

Dubai, UAE