The government has taken steps to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 23, with plans to introduce an official bill in the National Assembly soon, according to sources. The proposed amendment to the current structure of the Supreme Court will raise the total number of judges, including the chief justice, to 23.
A private bill on this matter has already been submitted by PML-N’s Daniyal Chaudhry on Private Members’ Day, and an official bill is expected to be presented during the National Assembly session on Friday. The session, originally scheduled to conclude earlier, has been extended to accommodate the bill’s tabling.
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There are also ongoing discussions regarding possible amendments to the Supreme Court’s Practice and Procedure Act. Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar recently dispelled rumors of a forthcoming 27th constitutional amendment, emphasizing that it is mere speculation. He clarified that the government’s focus remains on implementing the already approved 26th amendment, which he said will have positive effects for the country.
The government has also opted to retain the special parliamentary committee responsible for overseeing discussions on constitutional amendments and ensuring stability within the parliament. This committee will play a central role in any future decisions related to proposed amendments, including the 27th amendment, with a goal of achieving broad political consensus through ongoing consultations with coalition partners, particularly the PML-N and PPP.
