Islamabad (Web Desk): The meeting of Special Parliamentary Committee, tasked with appointing the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) for the first time in the nation’s history, is underway, but members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have again declined to participate.
The initial in-camera meeting of this parliamentary panel, which includes both government and opposition members, was held in the afternoon in room 5 of the Parliament House.
However, PTI representatives, along with those from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), did not attend the meeting. As a result, the committee had scheduled another session.
It may be noted that the process for appointment of the new chief justice is required to be completed within next three days as incumbent CJP Qazi Faez Isa will retire from his service on October 25.
However, the newly enacted 26th Constitutional Amendment has brought numerous changes pertaining to the judiciary, among which is the process of appointing the CJP.
The nomination process began promptly after the legislation was approved by both houses of the Parliament.
A notification issued by the NA stated, "In terms of clause (3B) of Article 175A of the Constitution has been pleased to notify the Special Parliamentary Committee comprising members as per nomination by respective parliamentary leaders based on their strength in Parliament for the nomination of the Chief Justice of Pakistan," the NA notification read.
Those representing their respective parties in the parliamentary committee include, senators Azam Nazeer Tarar from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), Farooq H Naek from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Syed Ali Zafar from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Kamran Murtaza Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).
The committee would send names of the nominee to the prime minister, who will forward the same to the President for appointment.
The new CJP would be appointed from amongst Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Yahya Afridi, the three senior most judges of Supreme Court after the incumbent chief justice.
However, the clause (3) of Article 175A also mentioned that if the nominee from amongst three senior most judges declines, the remaining judges from amongst three senior most judges would be considered for nomination.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court Registrar submitted the names of the three senior-most judges for the committee’s consideration, and one of them will be chosen to succeed the outgoing Chief Justice, Qazi Faez Isa.