The National Assembly has approved the 26th constitutional amendment measure following its passage in the Senate.

The federal government successfully obtained a two-thirds majority for the approval of the 26th constitutional amendment in the National Assembly during the early hours of Monday, shortly after it was approved by the Senate.

In the Senate, sixty-five members endorsed the constitutional amendment, while four opposed it; in the National Assembly, 225 lawmakers supported the amendment, and 12 opposed it.

The constitutional amendment proposes revisions to the selection procedure and tenure of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, as well as the establishment of constitutional benches at the Supreme Court, ensuring equitable representation from all provinces.

It also facilitates the establishment of constitutional benches in the high courts.

The most senior judge on each constitutional bench shall act as its presiding officer.

The constitutional amendment stipulates a three-year term for the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

A legislative committee comprising 12 members will select the new Chief Justice of Pakistan from a panel of the three most senior judges.

The committee, consisting of eight National Assembly members and four Senate members, will recommend a candidate to the Prime Minister, who will thereafter submit it to the President for final confirmation.

Additionally, a Judicial Commission of Pakistan, chaired by the Chief Justice and comprising three senior judges, two representatives from both the National Assembly and Senate, the Federal Minister for Law and Justice, the Attorney General, and a nominee from the Pakistan Bar Council with a minimum of fifteen years of Supreme Court practice, will oversee the appointments of Supreme Court judges.

The commission will oversee judges’ performance and communicate any issues to the Supreme Judicial Council.

The amendment encompassed stipulations regarding the composition of the Supreme Judicial Council, guaranteeing a diverse and resilient judicial framework, comprising the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the two most senior judges of the Supreme Court, and the two most senior Chief Justices of the High Courts.

A key element of the legislation is the total elimination of Riba (interest) from the nation by January 1, 2028.

The Senate will convene at 4 PM, and the National Assembly at 5 PM tomorrow.