What Is the 26th Amendment? Simple Guide to Pakistan’s New Judicial Reforms

Pakistan’s National Assembly passed the 26th Constitutional Amendment on Monday, introducing significant changes to the judiciary. This amendment comes after the bill received overwhelming support in the Senate, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s legislative history.

What Is the 26th Amendment?
The 26th Constitutional Amendment focuses on reforming the judiciary, particularly the appointment of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and the handling of constitutional matters. Key changes include:

Appointment of the Chief Justice: Parliament will now have the authority to appoint the Chief Justice of Pakistan from among the sitting members of the Supreme Court. This new process seen as a shift in power, allowing more involvement from lawmakers in deciding the head of the judiciary.

Constitutional Benches: The amendment introduces a mechanism for creating constitutional benches to efficiently manage constitutional cases. These benches will handle crucial matters, ensuring faster and more effective adjudication.
Voting and Support

The amendment presented by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. In the National Assembly, a total of 225 members voted in favor of the bill, while 12 members from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Sunni Ittehad Council opposed it. The government, holding 211 votes, secured additional support from 8 JUI members and 6 independents, ultimately achieving the required majority.

Key political leaders, including Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, were present during the historic session. After a brief adjournment just before midnight, discussions continued early Monday, and the bill passed.

Senate Approval
Before its approval in the National Assembly, the Senate also passed the 26th Amendment with a two-thirds majority. The bill received 58 votes in favor, with additional support from the JUI-F and the Balochistan National Party. However, PTI members and their allies walked out during the voting process.

Significance of the 26th Amendment
This amendment marks a crucial shift in Pakistan’s legal framework. By reforming the appointment process of the Chief Justice and establishing specialized constitutional benches, the government aims to strengthen the judiciary and ensure more efficient constitutional adjudication.

With these reforms, Pakistan’s legal system could see improved case management and reduced delays, especially in handling vital constitutional matters. The 26th Amendment expected to bring lasting changes to the country’s judicial processes.