- The opposition describes the resignations of the judges as a resistance movement.
- KP Aman Jirga statement fully supported by the alliance.
- Marches planned from the assemblies to the 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 demanding restoration of their 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 restoration of Pakistan’s Constitution to its original form.
“The amendments undermine the fundamental framework of the Constitution and must be repealed immediately,” the alliance declared, criticizing the federal government’s actions.
It is worth mentioning here that the 27th Amendment, which introduced changes in the judicial structure and military command, passed through both houses of parliament in multiple sessions earlier this week amid opposition protests.
Following the approval of the amendment, the opposition alliance announced the launch of a public movement, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) promised to reverse the adjustments after returning to power.
Opposition leaders expressed their full support for the resignations of Supreme Court Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah as a form of principled resistance, according to a statement.
The TTAP unanimously endorsed the statement issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Aman Jirga, organized by the provincial government to maintain law and order and curb terrorism.
Revealing the future course of action, the alliance announced that members of the National Assembly and the Senate will march from Parliament to the Supreme Court on Monday.
In Punjab, lawmakers plan to walk from the provincial assembly to the Lahore High Court, while in KP a resolution against the 27th Amendment will be presented to the provincial assembly.
Next Friday a “Black Day” will be celebrated across the country to protest against the new amendments.
Furthermore, 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 General Secretary Asad Qaiser, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, PTI President Advocate Gohar Ali Khan, PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja, Awaam Pakistan Convener Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Balochistan National Party (BNP) Chief Akhtar Mengal, Zain Shah of Sindh United Party and BNP Sajid Tareen, TTAP vice-president Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, PTI additional general secretary Firdous Shamim Naqvi, TTAP spokesperson Hussain Yousafzai, PTI founder Imran Khan’s lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, PTI KP general secretary Ali Asghar Khan and PTI deputy general secretary Shaukat Basra.
27th Constitutional Amendment
The 27th Constitutional Amendment introduces a radical restructuring of Pakistan’s judicial and military command frameworks.
Under the amendment, the Chief of Army Staff will simultaneously act as Chief of Defense Forces, making the position the central command authority of the armed forces. The military ranks of Field Marshal, Air Force Marshal, and Fleet Admiral will now remain life 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 of all provinces. The amendment empowers the FCC to exercise suo motu 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 transferring some of its authority to the newly created FCC.
Other judicial reforms establish eligibility conditions requiring judges to serve at least five years on a higher court before they can be appointed to the Constitutional Court. The Judicial Commission will now decide on the transfer of High Court judges, and any objection will be reviewed by the Supreme Judicial Council.
Additionally, a new clause limits presidential immunity in cases where a president assumes any public office after completing his term.
