ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms (PCCR) is considering two options to incorporate the Supreme Court’s recommendations on Article 175-A, which deals with the mechanism for the appointment of judges.
In its meeting on Tuesday, the committee discussed options that included a constitutional amendment and a resolution to be adopted in the joint session of parliament to give effect to the recommendations of the Supreme Court.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, committee chairman Raza Rabbani said apart from tabling the 19th Amendment to amend Article 175-A in light of Supreme Court’s verdict, the constitutional amendment could be made by passing a resolution with simple majority by the joint sitting of parliament under Article 267. He said there were no differences in the committee and it would make amendments in 175-A with consensus.
“The next sitting of the committee is scheduled on December 1. The committee is functioning smoothly without any objections from members,” he added. It has been learnt that the committee will present its report to the government suggesting any of the two options – bring a new amendment in the constitution or pass a resolution in the joint session of parliament.
In case the PCCR decides to go for a resolution under Article 267, the recommendations of the Supreme Court will not become part of the constitution amending Article 175-A, as this resolution can be withdrawn with a simple majority in the parliament.
