PTI leaders offered no proposals, amendments will strengthen judiciary: Sherry

Sherry Rehman, the parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the Senate, addressing the concerns raised by PTI parliamentary leader Ali Zafar regarding the constitutional amendment said that the amendments will strengthen the broken judiciary and it is not an attack on any institution.

She stated that Zafar and Barrister Gohar did not provide any proposals on the amendment, asserting that the proposed changes do not constitute an attack on the judiciary, which she described as having already broken down.

Addressing the Senate session, PPP leader Senator Sherry Rehman told the opposition that Constitutional Amendments will protect the edifice of the Centre. She refuted the claims that the bill is not a political stunt. She said Bilawal Bhutto remined the nation that PPP will restore the constitution in its pure form.

Sherry said PPP reached in the parliament after big sacrifices. She claimed that there is no vacuum and snake in it. She said that Parliament has legal right to make legislation. She said when parliament demands its due rights, baseless propaganda is being leached against the politicians. Sherry thanked PM Shehbaz Sharif and PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto for their struggle to make the legislation a success.

Speaking to the media following Zafar's speech in the Senate, Rehman stated, "We had invited Ali Zafar to join the parliamentary committee and requested his suggestions, but neither he nor Barrister Gohar provided any input."

Rehman further noted, "The judicial system in Pakistan has collapsed. The PPP laid the foundation of this constitution. This amendment is not an attack; when Parliament demands its rights, it is often accused of politicising issues. Many individuals have made sacrifices to reach this point." She clarified, "We do not shy away from addressing difficult issues. The chairman of the PPP has put commendable effort into this bill, especially considering that the rights of provinces are affected under these circumstances. We must not allow our rights to be taken away."

Rehman argued that having Parliament involved in the appointment of judges is not problematic. "If Parliament has a role in the appointment of judges, what is wrong with that? PTI should have presented their recommendations instead of discussing an outdated bill," she stated. "It is unheard of in any country for judges to decide for themselves who will be appointed and who will advance." She concluded by challenging her opponents to specify the problems with the proposed amendment and suggested comparing it with similar legislation in other countries to understand its implications better.

Earlier, addressing the Senate session, PTI Senator Barrister Ali Zafar said that consensus is very important for constitutional amendments without legislation causes damages to the nation. Ali Zafar claimed that the way legislation was being made by the government is against the constitution and violation of laws. He claimed that for constitutional public consent is mandatory.

Reporter: Tayyab Saif