ISLAMABAD: A special parliamentary committee, tasked with choosing a name for the new chief justice, on Tuesday met in Islamabad to deliberate upon a nominee for the post, amid a boycott of the proceedings by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members.
The committee, which was formed under the 26th constitutional amendment, is scheduled to pick a name out of the three senior-most Supreme Court judges for the post of the chief justice.
Pakistan’s incumbent top judge, Qazi Faez Isa, is set to retire on Friday. The three senior-most judges being considered for the key post include Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Yahya Afridi.
“The required number is present,” Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told reporters outside the meeting room at the Parliament House on Tuesday evening.
“But despite that, we are democratic-minded people and the beauty of democracy is in inclusiveness and everyone uniting.”
Two PTI-affiliated lawmakers Gohar Khan and Senator Ali Zafar boycotted the committee’s proceedings, at which the meeting was postponed till 8:30pm to convince them to join the forum for their input on the key appointment.
The contentious constitutional amendment passed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led ruling coalition has generated a heated debate in the country, with opposition parties and prominent lawyers alleging the new law aims to curtail the judiciary’s independence.
The government rejects these allegations and says the amendments are aimed at empowering Pakistan’s parliament and providing speedy justice to the country’s citizens.
Law Minister Tarar said that 10 committee members were present in the initial meeting, adding that as per the constitution, eight lawmakers were required to decide on the chief justice’s appointment.
Legal experts say there are some clauses in the 26th constitutional amendment that are “problematic,” but it is much better than what was being anticipated.
“There are certain clauses that on the face of it seem to be curtailing the powers of the judiciary. We have also seen that in the past decade or so, judges have misused the power to appoint judges. They have appointed certain judges that were their own favorites,” Osama Malik, a lawyer, told Arab News.
“They deliberately appointed some judges earlier than other judges that they could then become chief justices of the country. The seniority was managed by the senior most judges of the supreme court and that was causing serious problems for everyone. Now perhaps some balance will be found and if not, we will have to rectify it again.”
Pakistan parliamentary panel meets to discuss nominee for top judge’s post
https://arab.news/w493d
Pakistan parliamentary panel meets to discuss nominee for top judge’s post
- The panel, formed under 26th constitutional amendment, will pick a name out of three top Supreme Court judges
- Legal expert says some clauses in the amendment are ‘problematic’ but it is much better than what was anticipated
Pakistan police say two militants killed during gunbattle in northwest
- Police say Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants ambushed police vehicle on patrol in northwestern Bannu district
- Pakistan has frequently blamed neighboring Afghanistan for facilitating what it calls “cross-border attacks” against it
ISLAMABAD: Police in Pakistan’s Bannu district said on Monday it thwarted an ambush and killed two militants during a fierce gunbattle, as Islamabad grapples with a surge in militant attacks in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
A police vehicle came under attack from militants affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Pakistani Taliban group within the jurisdiction of the Domel Police Station in Bannu, a statement from police said.
The police van was on patrol when TTP militants, who were lying in wait near the district’s Company Road, suddenly opened indiscriminate firing on the police party. Following the attack, both sides traded fire for approximately 20 minutes.
“During the exchange of fire, two militants were killed and weapons were recovered from their possession,” the statement said.
Police launched a search operation in the area after the gunfire ended, during which the bodies of the two militants were recovered. The bodies were shifted to the Khaleefa Gul Nawaz (KGN) Hospital in the area for legal formalities.
Bannu Deputy Inspector General Sajjad Khan praised police for its unwavering commitment in saving people’s lives and for “standing firm against terrorism at all costs.”
“He said operations against elements of Fitna Al-Khawarij will continue under a zero-tolerance policy and those attempting to disrupt peace and order will not be spared under any circumstances,” the police statement said.
Pakistan’s government and army frequently use the term “Fitna Al-Khawarij” to describe TTP militants. The term is drawn from Islamic history for an extremist sect that rebelled against authority and declared other Muslims apostates.
The TTP has carried out some of the deadliest attacks against law enforcement agencies since 2008 in a bid to impose its strict version of Islamic law across Pakistan.
Bannu has also seen several militant attacks in the recent past, with four members of a pro-government peace committee killed by militants in the district earlier this month. In 2025, Bannu police said it recorded 134 attacks on police stations, checkpoints and those targeting its personnel. At least 27 police officers were killed, while authorities say 53 militants died in the clashes.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused neighboring Afghanistan of allowing its soil to be used by armed groups such as the TTP for “cross-border attacks.” It has also alleged that India supports militant groups carrying out attacks against Pakistan. Both Kabul and New Delhi have denied these claims.
