Draft amendments just proposals, says Law Minister
- 19
- 0
ISLAMABAD: Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified that constitutional amendment package circulating in public is merely draft of proposals and cannot yet be considered final. He made these remarks while addressing Pakistan and Supreme Court Bar Association event here.
“Circulating draft of constitutional amendments is just set of suggestions. Purpose of establishing constitutional court is to define scope of suo motu notices under Article 184, as there was surge in such notices between 2009 and 2013 and again in 2018 and 2019,” Tarar said, adding that judge hearing Benazir Bhutto case had even received threats. He explained that proposed amendments would ensure representation from all federal units in court.
“Legislation within constitutional limits is parliament’s prerogative. Until government approves it, it cannot be considered bill,” Tarar emphasised. Tarar reiterated that amendments are presented in Parliament after Cabinet approval and require two-thirds majority to pass. He referenced late human rights lawyer Asma Jahangir’s proposal for constitutional court, which included nine members and provincial representation.
Meanwhile, PPP leader and Chairman of Executive Committee of Pakistan Bar Council, Farooq H. Naek, speaking at All Pakistan Lawyers Convention, stressed importance of constitutional court. “Constitution is living document. Supreme Court recognises that Parliament has authority to amend Constitution, but no one knows details of this constitutional package.” Conference concluded with calls for robust constitutional court to address legal matters efficiently.