Overview
- Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar tabled the bill in the National Assembly, where opposition protests erupted and a vote was scheduled for Wednesday morning, with the coalition claiming the 224-plus votes needed for passage.
- The Senate approved the amendment a day earlier with a two-thirds majority, recording 64 votes in favour after an opposition walkout and protests.
- Former chief justice Jawwad S Khawaja filed a petition under Article 184(3) asking the Supreme Court to suspend and strike down provisions that reduce the court’s jurisdiction or transfer it to another forum.
- Judicial changes in the bill include establishing a Federal Constitutional Court, channeling constitutional cases away from the Supreme Court, redefining suo motu use, and assigning judge transfers to the Judicial Commission.
- Security and executive provisions would vest a Chief of Defence Forces role in the Army chief, protect a lifetime Field Marshal rank, and provide lifetime presidential immunity with limits if the officeholder later accepts public office.