LAHORE: A PTI-backed lawyers’ convention on Tuesday rejected the 26th constitutional amendment, reiterating its demand for a full court of the Supreme Court, other than the newly-elevated judges, hear the challenges against the amendment.

“It is demanded that the Supreme Court fix all petitions against the 26th amendment without a delay before a full court bench of the judges existing prior to the amendment,” said a declaration issued after the convention hosted by the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA).

Speaking at the huddle, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said, “We were informed that the 26th amendment was coming, but no one had the draft.” He said the target of the amendment was the judiciary.

He alleged that the opposition members were coerced during the voting process, terming the amendment a stain on legislation and the parliament that defaced the Constitution. “Everyone knows how this amendment was passed,” he added.

The PTI chairman stated that a parallel judiciary was created within the judiciary through a ‘controversial’ amendment.

He said the PTI will continue its struggle against the unconstitutional acts as Pakistan’s judiciary needed significant reforms.

Gohar Khan stated that the amendment paved the way for the executive’s interference in the judiciary.

He demanded such legislation must be withdrawn and the Supreme Court should hear constitutional petitions against the amendment immediately.

He said the petitions should be heard by judges who were present before the amendment.

He said the PTI fully supports the lawyers’ movement against the 26th amendment.

Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai said they want a Pakistan where the Constitution reigns supreme. Those who win elections should not be unfairly defeated, he added.

He said Pakistan is a federation, where no one is a master and no one is a slave.

He said the seat on which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif currently sits belongs to someone else. Achakzai stressed that if Pakistan is to progress, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Pakhtuns must have a share in the government.

PTI Senator Hamid Khan, who heads a major group of lawyers, said Pakistan had reached a crucial turning point in its history. “This is a time for struggle – the military must return to the barracks,” he asserted.

He urged the powers that be to let the political leadership make the country’s decisions.

He said the mandate of Feb 8 must be returned to the people.

Hamid Khan said after Feb 8, “another robbery” was committed in the form of the 26th amendment.

“You have turned the administration and the judiciary into puppets,” he alleged.

He said the lawyers’ movement for the supremacy of the Constitution will not stop now.

He also condemned the new amendments to Peca, calling it a black law designed to control journalists. The lawyers stood with journalist brothers against the Peca, he added.

He also urged the Supreme Court to immediately hear the petitions against the 26th amendment.

Former presidents of Supreme Court Bar Association Ali Ahmad Kurd and Abid Zuberi, and former vice president of Lahore High Court Bar Association Rabbiya Bajwa also spoke at the convention.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2025