Acting on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari signed the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill into law on Monday, as reported by ARY News. Prime Minister Sharif had earlier sent the advice for presidential assent after the bill was passed by both houses of parliament with a two-thirds majority.
With President Zardari’s signature, the 26th amendment has now been officially incorporated into Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution, as indicated by the issuance of a gazette notification. The National Assembly and Senate had previously approved the bill, which stipulates that the term of the Chief Justice of Pakistan will be limited to three years.
Read more: Pakistan province shuts schools, universities amid student unrest
The amendment also establishes a 12-member parliamentary committee responsible for selecting the new Chief Justice from the three most senior judges. The committee, comprising eight members from the National Assembly and four from the Senate, will recommend the candidate to the Prime Minister, who will then forward the name to the President for approval.
Additionally, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, chaired by the Chief Justice and including three senior judges, two members each from the National Assembly and Senate, the Federal Minister for Law and Justice, the Attorney General, and a nominee from the Pakistan Bar Council (with a minimum of fifteen years of Supreme Court practice), will oversee the appointment of Supreme Court judges.
Here’s how social media users have reacted to passing of the bill.
This was all that was left to do….
A dark and sad day, led by dark and sad people. pic.twitter.com/A1atzQW0Ks— Sayed Z Bukhari (@sayedzbukhari) October 21, 2024
What has Zain Qureshi done?
— Abdullah (@AbdullahSays99_) October 21, 2024
PTI while Walking OUT Should have torn copies of the illegal 26th Constitutional Amendment…
P.s. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto at the UN did it, but of course, he was RESPONSIBLE for breaking up Pakistan too pic.twitter.com/kSRF8rG1hV
— Lord Leopard (Lutyens' Wale) (@Leopard212) October 20, 2024
Since 26th Amendment has been officially approved, @/Allah ji please may those who voted in favor of this never find happiness. May they cry over their children, may every drop of water they drink turn to poison & may they face humiliation in both worlds. please Allah ji please.
— deeja ✯ (@deejasays) October 20, 2024
History in the making. Roles changed. Grandson of Pakistan’s first elected Prime Minister @BBhuttoZardari shaking hands with grandson of Pakistan’s 1st military dictator @OmarAyubKhan in the National Assembly where 26th constitutional amendment was passed at 5 am Monday morning. pic.twitter.com/Io0WYJEwSx
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) October 21, 2024
All senators with a conscience should boycott the vote for the 26th constitutional amendment.
How can they act normal & vote knowing their colleagues are being brought forcefully in the Senate after being abducted?
Is this how constitutions are amended?! Outrageous. https://t.co/c5QgpVCxW1
— Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) October 20, 2024