The National Assembly and Senate approve critical legislation, including an increase in Supreme Court judges and extended terms for military leaders

In a swift move, the National Assembly of Pakistan passed six pivotal bills on Monday, including a controversial proposal to increase the number of Supreme Court judges and another aimed at extending the terms of chiefs of the armed forces. The session was marked by significant protests from opposition parties, who decried the government’s actions as hasty and lacking in due process.

The government’s legislative agenda was spearheaded by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, who introduced the Supreme Court Number of Judges (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This bill proposes to double the number of judges from 17 to 34, a decision aimed at addressing the overwhelming backlog of cases within the judiciary. Tarar justified the increase by stating that it would facilitate the formation of constitutional benches, particularly in light of the recent 26th Amendment.

“The backlog in our courts has become untenable,” Tarar explained. “This amendment will enable us to appoint additional judges and expedite the resolution of pending cases across the country. The bar associations have long advocated for this change, recognising the urgent need for judicial reform.”

The Senate quickly followed suit, passing the amendment bills shortly after the National Assembly’s vote. If signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari, the legislation will not only extend the tenure of current armed forces chiefs from three to five years but also allow for further extensions and reappointments of up to five years. This change has raised eyebrows among political observers, with concerns regarding the implications for civilian governance and military influence.

The six bills that passed include:

1. Supreme Court Number of Judges (Amendment) Bill, 2024
2. Supreme Court Practice and Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2024
3. Islamabad High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2024
4. Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2024
5. Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill, 2024
6. Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill, 2024

As opposition leaders voiced their dissent, they argued that such significant reforms should not be rushed through Parliament without thorough debate and public consultation. They fear that these changes could further entrench power within the military and judicial systems, potentially undermining democratic processes.

Political analysts are closely monitoring the developments, noting that these legislative moves come at a time of heightened tensions between the government and opposition. As the political landscape evolves, the implications of these new laws on governance and public trust remain to be seen.