Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has said that proposals regarding the tenure of the chief justice of Pakistan are circulating, and that he will not completely reject these suggestions.
Tarar said the status of the parliamentary committee for the appointment of judges was nothing more than a rubber stamp after the 18th Amendment. If any parliamentary party brings such a proposal, it will be its right, he said, adding that such proposals have been discussed before as well.
The minister also said that the prime minister has directed to introduce a constitutional amendment for the appointment of judges. He added that there should be a balance in the process of appointing judges, adding that the 18th Amendment had also maintained a balance in the appointment process.
“We will definitely discuss this issue with the opposition,” Tarar declared. He further said that the Ministry of Law had not been informed of anything about the tenure of the chief justice.
“In many countries, the role of the judiciary in the appointment of judges is very small,” he remarked, adding that the PTI was not entitled to any reserved seat.
On the other hand, the government has decided to change the procedure of appointment of judges in high courts. The work on a constitutional amendment has also started.
This was informed by the law minister to a Judicial Commission meeting chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa. According to a statement issued after the Judicial Commission meeting, the minister said that the government intends to amend Article 175A, which may also lead to a change in the composition of the Judicial Commission.
After the government’s position was expressed, Justice Yahya Afridi proposed to adjourn the proceedings of the meeting, which was agreed to by all the members.
According to the statement, it was also agreed in the meeting not to delay the appointment of judges due to the government’s proposed amendments. Prior to the amendment, the appointments of the high court judges will be made in accordance with the existing law.
