PM to Brief Parliamentary Party on Constitutional Amendment Plan
Govt needs 224 votes in National Assembly, 64 in Senate to pass its constitutional amendment
Islamabad-(Mudassar Iqbal)-As the government prepares to table a constitutional amendment in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a meeting with the parliamentary party to discuss the matter. The move comes amid rumors of increasing the retirement age of superior court judges, a proposal vehemently opposed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The amendment seeks to raise the retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 68 and high court judges from 62 to 65. However, the government faces a daunting task, requiring a two-thirds majority in parliament to pass the amendment.
With 211 members in the National Assembly, the ruling coalition needs 13 more votes to secure the required 224 votes. The opposition, led by PTI, has expressed concerns, with Salman Akram Raja claiming that the government can only achieve the numbers through coercion.
The development comes as Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s tenure is set to expire, sparking speculation about his extension. The JUI-F has instructed its Senate members to refrain from voting on the amendment until further clarification from the party leadership.
The parliamentary party meeting, scheduled for 7 pm today, will be followed by a dinner in honor of the attendees. The outcome of the meeting and the subsequent voting process will be crucial in determining the fate of the constitutional amendment.
