KARACHI: The Sindh Bar Council (SBC) on Tuesday supported the proposed judicial reforms package in order to establish a federal constitutional court.

According to a press release issued by its acting secretary Rustam Bhutto, the executive committee of SBC has passed a resolution and also supported the suggestions of the Pakistan Bar Council forwarded to the government.

It maintained that the SBC considered that it would be an effective forum for resolution of disputes between provinces and federal government.

The proposed constitutional court based on the equal representation of the provinces and the same was also provided in charter of democracy, it added.

Calls upon all stakeholders to discuss proposed constitutional amendment package with legal fraternity

The resolution also stated that the legal fraternity fully understood the importance of such long-waited reforms and welcomed the merger of judicial commission and parliamentary committee which will pave the way for one larger forum for selection of judges of higher judiciary.

The SBC further said that the proposed judicial reforms in the existing legal system would strengthen the federation and empower the court to address fundamental rights of people in an effective way.

However, it called upon all the stakeholders to consult and discuss such reforms with the whole legal fraternity for the greater good of the country.

SBC vice chairman expresses concerns

Meanwhile, SBC vice chairman Kashif Hanif, in a separate statement, expressed serious concerns about the timing and secrecy surrounding the proposed constitutional package and its implications.

A major structural change to the judicial system with multiple possible consequences for the separation of power and independence of judiciary requires full transparency and serious discussions and consultations of all stakeholders, he added.

He also said that unfortunately, even after the earlier attempt to rush through a constitutional package was unsuccessful, none of the parties in the ruling coalition have bothered to share a draft of their proposed amendments.

The lawyers will support any genuine and consultative process of judicial reform, but must not accept any attempt to destroy independence of judiciary on the pretext and in the guise of reform, he concluded.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2024