News Desk
ISLAMABAD: In a significant move, the government has announced its decision to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 23. Sources indicate that a bill to this effect will be presented in the National Assembly on Friday, proposing an expanded Supreme Court comprising 23 judges, including the Chief Justice.
An advisory meeting was held in the Speaker’s chamber regarding the new legislation, during which various suggestions were exchanged. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) has called for not only increasing the number of Supreme Court judges but also for filling existing vacancies in the High Courts. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has urged caution, advocating against hastily passing the legislation and emphasizing the need for a thorough review. The PPP has insisted on involving all parties through a special parliamentary committee meeting to ensure consensus on this critical matter.
In response to the ongoing discussions, the Speaker of the National Assembly will share the opinions of political parties with the government. To facilitate this process, the National Assembly session has been extended until Friday for the approval of the bill, which was originally scheduled to conclude today, as per the revised agenda. This development marks a crucial step in Pakistan’s judicial reforms, reflecting the government’s commitment to enhancing the judiciary’s capacity.
