PTI Lawyer Challenges 26th Constitutional Amendment in Sindh High Court
In Islamabad, a lawyer representing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has filed a petition in the Sindh High Court against the 26th Constitutional Amendment. Advocate Ashraf Samo argues that this amendment is a “direct attack” on the judiciary, a key pillar of the state. The petition seeks to protect the judiciary’s independence as outlined in Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution, particularly Article 199.
Samo has requested a full bench to hear the case, emphasizing the need to safeguard fundamental rights. PTI’s Barrister Ali Tahir, during a press conference, expressed concerns about the amendment, stating that flawed laws can be contested in the high court. He questioned the legitimacy of a special parliamentary committee’s role in judicial matters, asserting that only the Supreme Court should have jurisdiction over such issues.
Tahir also highlighted the potential for the executive to influence judicial affairs, especially in bench formation, traditionally a judicial role. Samo’s petition criticizes any amendment provision allowing call recordings, claiming it infringes on personal freedoms and threatens judicial independence. He warned against setting a dangerous precedent, stating, “This nation cannot be governed like a banana republic.” The petition calls for five senior judges to ensure a fair hearing on what is described as “a blatant violation of fundamental rights.”
Doubts Revealed
PTI -: PTI stands for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which is a political party in Pakistan. It was founded by Imran Khan, a famous cricketer turned politician.
Sindh High Court -: The Sindh High Court is a high court in the province of Sindh, Pakistan. It is responsible for hearing important legal cases and making decisions on them.
26th Constitutional Amendment -: A constitutional amendment is a change or addition to a country’s constitution. The 26th Constitutional Amendment in Pakistan is a specific change that some people believe affects the independence of judges and courts.
Judicial Independence -: Judicial independence means that judges and courts should be free to make decisions without being influenced by other branches of government or outside pressures. It is important for fair and unbiased justice.
Advocate Ashraf Samo -: Advocate Ashraf Samo is a lawyer who is challenging the 26th Constitutional Amendment in court. He believes the amendment is harmful to the independence of the judiciary.
Barrister Ali Tahir -: Barrister Ali Tahir is another lawyer from PTI who is concerned about the 26th Constitutional Amendment. He questions whether the amendment is legitimate or fair.
Special Parliamentary Committee -: A special parliamentary committee is a group of lawmakers assigned to focus on specific issues. In this case, the committee is involved in matters related to the judiciary, which some people find concerning.
Call Recordings -: Call recordings refer to the act of recording phone conversations. The petition argues that allowing this could threaten people’s personal freedoms and privacy.