Islamabad: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has called for public feedback on a draft of constitutional amendments aimed at judicial reforms. Announced via a post on the social media platform X, the proposed changes include the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court and revisions to the judicial appointment process.
According to Pakistan Peoples Party, the draft, which was previously shared with the government, the JUI, and a high-powered parliamentary committee, seeks to address elements of the Charter of Democracy’s unfulfilled agenda on judicial reforms. The PPP’s proposal outlines the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court that would ensure equal representation from all federating units and handle matters related to fundamental rights, constitutional interpretations, and federal or inter-provincial disputes.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also proposed a significant change in the judicial appointment process, suggesting an end to the current system where judges play a central role in appointments. The new approach would merge judicial and parliamentary committees, giving equal participation to Parliament, the Judiciary, and the legal fraternity in these decisions.
The PPP has been actively engaging with various political parties, bar associations, and civil society groups across the country to gather support for these amendments. The ongoing discussions with JUI, a key opposition party, aim to develop a joint draft that could serve as a foundation for a broader political consensus necessary to pass the 26th Constitutional Amendment.