ISLAMABAD: 26th Constitutional Amendment has been challenged in Supreme Court of Pakistan. Former chairman Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and ex-senator Afrasiab Khattak in his petition has pleaded to apex court to constitute full court for hearing 26th Constitutional Amendment.

He pleaded to court for an inquiry that legislators have voted under duress or voluntarily passed amendment. “Court itself or with judicial commission inquire into matter,” petition read. “An impression has been created that 26th Constitutional Amendment has not been passed with due diligence,” petition read. “Amendment should be dismissed declaring it against independence of judiciary”. “Independence of judiciary has been basic structure of Constitution, mechanism of judges annual performance review is against freedom of judiciary,” according to plea. “Change in mechanism of appointment of Chief Justice and formation of constitutional benches also violation of independence of judiciary,” petitioner argued.

“Constitutional benches could not hear petition against 26th amendment,” petition read. Petitioner has made PML-N, PPP and other parties as respondents in case. Petition was also filed earlier in Supreme Court pleading it to declare amendment as void.