KARACHI – President Asif Ali Zardari signed the 19th Amendment Bill on Saturday making it a part of the 1973 constitution. Parliament had passed the bill and it was sent to the president for his consent.
The bill was prepared and moved to both houses on the Supreme Court’s recommendations. The signing ceremony, held at the Bilawal House, was attended by Senate Chairman Farooq Naik, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza, Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms Chairman Raza Rabbani, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah. President Zardari said the bill was a new year’s gift for the nation and a defeat for “political actors”.
He said to make the country stronger, legislations would be made through mutual consensus in the future as well. Zardari said the speculations about a clash between state institutions were a bid to taint the image of the government by political actors. However, adding that all such efforts had gone in vain and ultimately, political sagacity had ruled.
Rabbani said the passing of the 19th Amendment Bill by parliament was a historical success for democratic forces. “The credit goes to all political parties,” he said. The amendment envisages a new system for appointments in the superior courts, aimed at settling a potential source of discord between the judiciary and parliament.
The number of senior judges as members of the Judicial Commission has been raised to four while the number of members of the parliamentary committee for the appointment of the chief election commissioner has also been increased to 12.
The chief justice of Pakistan would make recommendations for the appointment of ad hoc judges to superior courts in consultation with the Judicial Commission. In case the National Assembly is dissolved, the members of the parliamentary committee would be from the Senate only.
