Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan on Monday demanded the government “immediately” notify the name of the next chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), amidst speculation that it is considering an extension to the tenure of incumbent CJP Qazi Faez Isa.
“The government should immediately announce the name of the new chief justice amid the prevailing situation. There will be a strong protest if any legislation is done in this regard,” claimed Ayub on the floor of the House. The rumors have been in the field for several months, but have gained fervor in recent weeks, as opposition lawmakers eye anticipated judicial reforms with wariness.
Rebutting Ayub’s speculation, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said, as per the Constitution, the senior-most judge would become the next CJP. “The matter of appointing the chief justice of the Supreme Court can only be proceeded in accordance with the Constitution,” he said, adding that this restriction did not apply to high courts, as evidenced by the recent appointment of the chief justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC).
In his address, Ayub also thanked Speaker Ayaz Sadiq over issuing production orders for Haji Imtiaz Chaudhry, who is currently under arrest. “This is a commendable tradition, and I want to praise Ayaz Sadiq for it,” said Ayub. He also condemned a surge in terrorism in Punjab’s katcha areas, demanding the Punjab police chief be dismissed over failing to prevent a recent attack that led to the deaths of 15 police officials. He also stressed that the PTI would stage a “grand” public rally in Islamabad on Sept. 8.
During the NA session, lawmakers passed the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2024 amidst opposition from the PTI and Sunni Ittehad Council. The bill increases the number of union councilors, with the opposition alleging it is a plot to further delay local government polls in the federal capital.