Politics
All you need to know about the Amendment Acts by Pakistan’s sham parliament
Legislation continues at the behest of the military; the ‘extension mafia’ has enacted more laws that deepen the military’s control and further undermine judicial independence.
Pakistan’s sham parliament, which lacks legitimacy and public mandate, continues to legislate at the behest of the military. Following the recent Constitutional Amendment passed through blatant fascism, the ‘extension mafia’ has enacted more laws that deepen the military’s control and further undermine judicial independence.
On Monday, November 4, 2024, the ‘rubber stamp‘ government bulldozed six pieces of crucial legislation through both houses of parliament despite vociferous protests by the opposition, led by the PTI.
The 6 laws amended include the following:
Supreme Court Number of Judges (Amendment) Act, 2024
- Increases the number of judges in the Supreme Court from 16 to 34, including the Chief Justice
- Used the pretext of reducing the backlog of cases due to increasing litigation
Supreme Court Practice & Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2024
- Incorporates provisions of the 26th Constitutional amendment
- Establishes Constitutional benches by adding Article 191A to the Constitution
- Ensures the Act takes effect concurrently with the 26th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2024
Islamabad High Court (Amendment) Act, 2024
- Increases the number of judges in the Islamabad High Court from 9 to 12
- Addresses rising litigation due to Islamabad’s growth as a business hub
Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 2024
- Aligns the Pakistan Army Act with maximum tenure for Pakistan Army, Air Force & Navy chiefs
- Proposes an increase in the service chief’s tenure limit across military branches from 3 to 5 years
- Allows for extensions and reappointments up to five years
Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Act, 2024
- Adjusts the Navy chief’s tenure and its service limits
- Increases in the service chief’s tenure from 3 to 5 years
- Allows for extensions and reappointments up to five years
Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Act, 2024
- Addresses the tenure of the Chief of Air Staff and puts it at 5 years
- Allows for extensions and reappointments up to five years, in line with the Army and Navy Amendments
