The National Assembly has approved the amendment bills regarding the tenure of the chiefs of the armed forces for 5 years and increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court from 17 to 34. It has been approved, but in the meantime, there was a huge uproar from the opposition.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar presented the amendment bills in the National Assembly to increase the number of judges and practice and procedure, the amendment bills to increase the tenure of the chiefs of the armed forces to 5 years was presented by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif.
Meanwhile, the opposition raised slogans and chanted “No No”.
The government and opposition members also clashed with each other, on which more security sergeants were called.
In front of the speaker dais, the government opposition and members came face to face and shouted slogans of “Maryam ke papa chor hai” and tore copies of the bills. The government members also raised slogans of “Pinky, Gogi and Captain, Lootkar Kha Gaye Pakistan”.
There was a scuffle between Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar and PTI Member of Parliament Shahid Khattak.
During the intense sloganeering in the House, abusive language was also used.
But in the meantime, the speaker continued the proceedings and adjourned the proceedings of the meeting till 11 am tomorrow after approving the amendment bills clause wise.
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**Interview: Insight on Recent Amendments in Pakistan’s National Assembly**
**Host:** Welcome to our special segment. Today, we have with us Dr. Amina Malik, a political analyst and expert on South Asian affairs, to discuss the recent amendments passed by Pakistan’s National Assembly. Dr. Malik, thank you for joining us.
**Dr. Amina Malik:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s start with the amendment that extends the terms of the armed forces chiefs to five years. What do you think is the implication of this change for Pakistan’s political landscape?
**Dr. Malik:** Extending the tenure of army chiefs is quite significant in Pakistan, a country where the military has traditionally played a powerful role in governance. This amendment solidifies the military’s influence in political matters and raises questions about civil-military relations. It could create a more stable environment for military leadership but may also lead to concerns about accountability and democratic governance.
**Host:** Furthermore, the National Assembly approved an increase in the number of judges in the Supreme Court from 17 to 34. Why is this important, and what might this mean for the judiciary in Pakistan?
**Dr. Malik:** Increasing the number of judges could potentially help reduce the backlog of cases, which has been a persistent issue in Pakistan’s judicial system. This could lead to more efficient justice delivery. However, the rapid expansion must be carefully managed to ensure that judicial quality isn’t compromised. It also raises questions about the criteria for appointing these additional judges—transparency and merit should be at the forefront of this process.
**Host:** There seems to be a push towards consolidating authority both in the military and the judiciary. What do you foresee as the public’s reaction to these changes?
**Dr. Malik:** Public reaction can be quite mixed. Some might see these amendments as steps towards stability and order, particularly given the history of instability in Pakistan. Others will likely view them as a concentration of power that undermines democratic institutions. Civic groups and political opponents may mobilize against these moves, fearing a potential rollback of democratic progress.
**Host:** Lastly, with both the judiciary and the military being empowered, what do you think the future holds for democracy in Pakistan?
**Dr. Malik:** That’s a complex question. While these amendments might lead to short-term stability, the long-term health of democracy in Pakistan will depend on how these powers are exercised. If the military and judiciary prioritize accountability, human rights, and the rule of law, it could strengthen democratic processes. However, if they become increasingly autonomous and less accountable, we could see a significant erosion of democratic principles.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Malik, for your insights on these critical developments in Pakistan. It’s certainly a situation to watch closely.
**Dr. Malik:** Thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to discuss these important issues.