Islamabad: Barrister Aqeel Malik, the Minister of State for Law and Justice, has signalled a potentially extended period of constitutional reform in Pakistan, stating that the 28th Constitutional Amendment could follow the 27th. His statement underscores the government’s ambitious legislative agenda and reflects ongoing political negotiations within the ruling alliance.
Speaking on a Geo News program, Barrister Aqeel Malik addressed several key facets of the proposed constitutional changes:
- Constitutional Courts and Judges’ Tenure: He revealed that a proposal is under consideration to raise the retirement age for judges of the planned Constitutional Court to 68 years.
- Considering PPP’s Input: The Minister commended the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) suggestion that the executive should have no role in the transfer of judges, stating that the government would seriously consider this input. Earlier reports indicated that Cabinet and Senate sessions were postponed due to PPP’s reservations.
- Dual Nationality Stance: Barrister Aqeel Malik advocated for consistency regarding dual nationality, arguing that if parliamentarians cannot hold dual citizenship, the same principle should apply to the bureaucracy. He expressed surprise that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari did not agree on restricting dual nationality for bureaucrats.
- MoD and Security Context: He urged the PPP not to link the issue of Constitutional Courts to the implementation of other clauses within the Charter of Democracy (MoD). He pointed out that the security situation during the MoD’s drafting was vastly different from the terrorism challenges the country faces today, noting that Bilawal had previously expressed consensus on Constitutional Courts.
The Minister emphatically stated that the government’s goal is not to roll back the 18th Amendment or curtail the powers of any province, but rather to improve the systemic framework. His mention of a potential 28th Amendment suggests that substantial political and constitutional activity lies ahead in the coming months.
