Pakistan Government Holds Back Judiciary Amendment Bill

The Pakistan government has delayed the introduction of a constitutional amendment bill aimed at extending the tenure of top judiciary judges. Despite separate sessions of the Senate and the National Assembly, no bill was presented. Sources indicate that a lack of a two-thirds majority is causing the delay.

The Pakistan government on Saturday refrained from introducing a much-anticipated constitutional amendment bill in parliament to extend the tenure of top judiciary judges.

Despite convening separate sessions of the Senate and the National Assembly, no such bill was presented, contrary to media reports that the government will introduce a bill to amend the laws governing the Supreme Court and the five high courts of the country.

Sources said a constitutional package was prepared to introduce the bill as an amendment. However, its introduction is uncertain due to the lack of a two-thirds majority in both parliamentary chambers.

A constitutional amendment requires separate passage in the National Assembly and Senate, with a two-thirds majority vote.

Sources said the government might table the amendment bill on Sunday, as consultations with allies are underway.

(With inputs from agencies.)