What Happened: The National Assembly passed six bills, including one to increase Supreme Court judges to 34 and another to extend armed services chiefs’ terms, amid strong opposition protests.
What you need to know: On Monday, the National Assembly passed six bills, including one aimed at increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court and another concerning the extension of terms for armed services chiefs. This occurred shortly after the bills were introduced amidst strong opposition protests.
The first bill, which sought to expand the Supreme Court’s bench, was presented by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. He stated that the government proposed raising the total number of judges to 34, emphasizing the need for a more efficient judicial system to handle the growing number of cases.
What more: Despite fierce protests from opposition members, who raised concerns about the implications of such legislation, the assembly proceeded to vote on the bill immediately after the law minister concluded his speech. The swift passage of these bills has sparked a significant backlash from opposition parties, who argue that these measures undermine the judiciary’s independence and raise questions about the government’s motives.
Also: As the political climate remains tense, the assembly’s decision reflects ongoing debates about judicial reform and military oversight in Pakistan, highlighting the complexities of governance in the country.