Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui said that the 26th constitutional amendment does not involve extending term of the Chief Justice or judges.
Irfan Siddiqui said the reports circulating in the media are merely speculations.
However, he admitted that their numbers are not complete without Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
“Without Maulana’s support and active participation of PPP, the amendments are not possible,” said the PML-N senator while giving interview to a local private TV on Wednesday.
He expressed confidence that Maulana Fazlur Rehman would agree to the constitutional amendments, and with the support of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and other parties, the amendments would be approved.
Siddiqui pointed out that decisions regarding judges’ salaries and retirement would continue to be made by Parliament, which would also consult lawyers for their opinions, as bar associations are key stakeholders in this process.
He noted that a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking to prevent Parliament from legislating, comparing it to restricting the judiciary from making decisions. He emphasized that without a two-thirds majority, no amendments could be made.
Siddiqui also mentioned that 25 or 26 amendments have already been made, all of which have gone through a consultation process before approval.
He mentioned that during a parliamentary committee meeting regarding the amendments, Bilawal made significant efforts to convince Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who expressed his concerns. It was agreed to continue the consultation process to build consensus.
Siddiqui recalled that the Charter of Democracy was established 18 years ago, which both Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Imran Khan later agreed upon. He stated that everyone is in agreement with the principles laid out by Nawaz Sharif in the Charter of Democracy, and that reaching out for the amendments is not solely his responsibility.
When asked about the 18th Amendment, he explained that the process for appointing judges was abolished through the 19th Amendment due to pressure from then-Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. However, this process has been included in the recent constitutional amendment for reinstatement.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui emphasized that without Maulana Fazlur Rehman, their numbers would not be sufficient. He noted that Maulana Fazlur Rehman is fundamentally in agreement with the amendments and is on board with the procedures regarding judges established in the 18th Amendment, wanting to understand the details further.
Siddiqui stated that there has never been a system for appointing the most senior judge as Chief Justice since creation of Pakistan; this system was changed by former Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, who himself faced consequences and was dismissed, as he was seventh on the seniority list. He expressed a desire to restore the old system of appointing one of the four most senior judges as Chief Justice.
He went on to say that the constitutional amendment would take place when Maulana agreed, and since the Pakistan People’s Party is a coalition partner actively participating.
He said he is optimistic that the amendments would be approved with the cooperation of Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other parties.
