Senator Syed Ali Zafar Criticizes Government Over 26th Amendment Bill
In Islamabad, during a Senate session, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Syed Ali Zafar expressed strong criticism towards the government regarding the 26th Amendment Bill. He accused the government of manipulating the “Constitutional Bench” to place its own judges in key judicial positions, which could undermine judicial independence.
Zafar warned that this control would allow the government to bypass the official process of electing a Chief Justice, favoring its preferred judges instead. He emphasized that the amendment should benefit the people, but criticized parliamentarians for not thoroughly reading the bill.
The 26th Amendment Bill, passed with a two-thirds majority, faced opposition mainly from PTI, led by Imran Khan, which organized protests against it. The bill, presented by Minister of Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, received 65 votes in favor and 4 against. It includes 27 clauses and proposes amendments to various constitutional articles.
Despite initial protests, the Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party’s suggestions were incorporated into the bill. The bill will now proceed to the Pakistan National Assembly. PTI’s political committee announced it would abstain from voting on constitutional amendments and protest against PTI members who participate in the voting process, questioning the current government’s legitimacy to amend the constitution.
Doubts Revealed
Senator -: A Senator is a person who is a member of the Senate, which is a part of the government that helps make laws. In Pakistan, the Senate is like the Rajya Sabha in India.
Syed Ali Zafar -: Syed Ali Zafar is a politician in Pakistan who belongs to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. He is a member of the Senate, which is like being a member of the Rajya Sabha in India.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) -: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, is a political party in Pakistan. It is similar to political parties in India like the BJP or Congress.
26th Amendment Bill -: The 26th Amendment Bill is a proposed change to the laws in Pakistan. It is like when India changes its laws or rules by adding or changing parts of the Constitution.
Constitutional Bench -: A Constitutional Bench is a group of judges in a court who decide on important legal matters. In India, the Supreme Court also has benches like this to handle big cases.
Chief Justice -: The Chief Justice is the head judge in a court. In Pakistan, like in India, the Chief Justice is the top judge who leads the Supreme Court.
Two-thirds majority -: A two-thirds majority means that more than two-thirds of the members in a group agree on something. In India, this is needed to make big changes to the Constitution.
National Assembly -: The National Assembly is a part of the government in Pakistan where laws are made. It is similar to the Lok Sabha in India.
Abstain from voting -: To abstain from voting means to choose not to vote either for or against something. It is like when someone decides not to pick a side in a decision.
