- The opposition refers to the resignation of the judges as a resistance movement.
- KP Aman Jirga statement fully backed by alliance.
- Marches planned from assemblies to high courts on Monday.
RAWALPINDI: The opposition alliance, Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-Pakistan (TTAP) on Friday strongly opposed the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments, calling them violations of the basic structure of the constitution and demanded restoration of its original form.
After holding a session chaired by TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai in Rawalpindi today, the opposition alliance rejected the constitutional adjustments and demanded the restoration of the constitution of Pakistan to its original form.
“Amendments undermine the basic framework of the constitution and must be reversed immediately,” the alliance declared, criticizing the federal government’s actions.
It is noteworthy to mention here that the 27th Amendment Bill, which brought about changes in the judicial structure and military command, sailed through both houses of Parliament in several sessions earlier this week amid opposition protests.
Following the passage of the amendment, the opposition alliance announced to launch a public movement, whereas the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) promised to reverse the adjustments after returning to power.
The opposition leaders expressed full support for the resignation of Supreme Court Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah as a form of principled resistance, according to a statement.
TTAP unanimously supported the declaration issued by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Aman Jirga, organized by the provincial government to maintain law and order and curb terrorism.
The alliance revealed the future course of action and announced that members of the National Assembly and Senate will march from Parliament to the Supreme Court on Monday.
In Punjab, lawmakers plan to move from the provincial assembly to the Lahore High Court, while in KP, a resolution against the 27th amendment will be presented in the provincial assembly.
A nationwide “Black Day” will be held next Friday to protest the new changes.
In addition, the alliance called for the immediate release of PTI founder Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and other political prisoners.
Today’s session was attended by TTAP Secretary General Asad Qaiser, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Awaam Pakistan Chairperson Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Sindh Akh Mengtar’s National Party (Balochists National Party) Zain Shah, BNP’s Sajid Tareen, TTAP Vice Chairman Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, PTI Additional Secretary General Firdous Shamim Naqvi, TTAP spokesperson Hussain Yousafzai, PTI founder Imran Khan’s advisor Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, PTI KP general secretary, Basghra general secretary, Basghra general secretary and PTI Shauk Khan general secretary Ali Asghra.
27th constitutional amendment
The 27th Constitutional Amendment introduces a sweeping restructuring of Pakistan’s judicial and military command framework.
According to the amendment, the Chief of Army Staff will concurrently serve as the Chief of Defense Forces, making the post the central command authority of the armed forces. The military ranks of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force and Admiral of the Navy will now remain lifetime titles.
A major structural change comes in the form of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), which is being established as a new judicial forum with equal representation from all provinces. The amendment empowers the FCC to exercise independent authority over petitions.
The amendment gives the president and prime minister key roles in judicial appointments, while reducing certain powers of the Supreme Court and shifting some of its authority to the newly created FCC.
Additional judicial reforms set eligibility conditions that require judges to serve at least five years on a Supreme Court before qualifying for appointment to the Constitutional Court. The Judicial Commission will now decide on the transfer of Supreme Court judges, with any objections to be dealt with by the Supreme Judicial Council.
In addition, a new clause limits presidential immunity in cases where a president assumes public office after completing their term of office.
