Lawyers in Karachi Protest Against Proposed Constitutional Amendments
The Lawyers Action Committee (LAC), a non-political forum for lawyers, organized a protest at the City Courts in Karachi. They described the proposed constitutional amendments as an attempt to manipulate the judiciary for political gain. The LAC warned against efforts to extend the current chief justice’s tenure through unconstitutional amendments, calling such actions illegal and a threat to judicial independence.
The LAC called for a notification to appoint Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, the Senior Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, as the next chief justice following Justice Qazi Faiz Isa’s retirement. They asserted that the proposed amendments represent an assault on the independence of the Supreme Court.
Earlier, the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) raised concerns about the proposed 26th amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, stating that its secretive introduction violates parliamentary protocol. In a resolution, the KBA expressed that the amendments, particularly the extension of the age limit for justices and judges, undermine the Constitution and pose a threat to higher courts. They emphasized that these amendments could infringe upon the judiciary’s independence.
The KBA stated, “Constitutional amendments can only occur with consensus following speeches and discussions; failing to disclose these amendments to members of parliament and the public is itself a violation of the Constitution of Pakistan.” They added that the amendments contradict the rule of law and are being pursued without proper debate, undermining the sanctity of the Constitution.
The KBA called on the judiciary and the legal community to oppose and reject these amendments, urging unity to uphold the integrity of the Constitution and the autonomy of the judicial system.
Following an inter-provincial meeting, the Sindh Bar Council (SBC) called for a notification to appoint Justice Mansoor Ali Shah as the new Chief Justice of Pakistan upon the retirement of the current Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. The SBC also urged a ban on the reappointment of all government employees, including retired judges and generals. Additionally, the SBC requested that the federal government consult representatives from the legal community and all stakeholders before implementing any constitutional amendments related to the judiciary.
Doubts Revealed
Karachi -: Karachi is a big city in Pakistan, which is a country next to India.
Constitutional Amendments -: Constitutional amendments are changes or additions to the rules that govern a country.
Judicial Independence -: Judicial independence means that judges can make decisions without being influenced by the government or other powerful people.
Chief Justice -: The Chief Justice is the head judge in a country’s highest court.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah -: Justice Mansoor Ali Shah is a judge who some people want to become the next Chief Justice.
Sindh Bar Council (SBC) -: The Sindh Bar Council is a group of lawyers in the Sindh region of Pakistan who work together to support legal matters.
Reappointing Retired Judges and Generals -: Reappointing retired judges and generals means giving them their old jobs back after they have already retired.
Consultation -: Consultation means talking and discussing with people to get their opinions before making a decision.
