ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Monday approved the Service Tribunal (Amendment) so that the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) can appoint the chairman and members of the Federal Service Tribunal (FST), according to a local media outlet.
Only the president of Pakistan has the power to appoint the chairman and members of the tribunal, according to the existing Service Tribunal Act 1973. In the proposed amendment, however, the president will appoint the chairman and members after consultation with the CJP.
The bill was approved by the National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC) at a meeting presided over by Rana Mohammad Hyat Khan.
The working paper of the committee stated that the Supreme Court in its judgment dated March 25, 2013, held that the chairman and members of the FST should be appointed in consultation with the chief justice.
The committee unanimously approved it after holding a discussion on the bill.
Some other legislative bills were also discussed by the committee but no conclusions could be reached, except rejecting Pakistan Baitul Maal (Amendment) Bill 2017 moved by MNA Mohammad Muzammil Qureshi, terming it a non-feasible legislative proposal.