The Karachi Bar Council has formally challenged the 26th Constitutional Amendment in the Supreme Court, marking a pivotal development in Pakistan’s legal landscape. The petition, filed through renowned advocate Faisal Siddiqui, argues that the amendment contradicts fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution and poses a threat to the judiciary’s independence.
In its comprehensive plea, the council has requested the apex court to annul the 26th Constitutional Amendment. It further urged the court to dissolve constitutional benches constituted under the amendment and to void all decisions rendered by them.
The petition names the federal and provincial governments, the Federal Election Commission, the Speaker of the National Assembly, and the Senate as respondents. This wide-ranging approach underscores the gravity of the council’s concerns and its determination to ensure adherence to the Constitution’s basic tenets.
Legal experts believe this challenge could ignite a broader constitutional debate, as the amendment’s implications for judicial autonomy and democratic norms come under scrutiny.
The Supreme Court is expected to take up the case in the coming weeks, with far-reaching implications for Pakistan’s governance framework and legal system.
