The National Assembly (NA) and Senate approved on Monday the bills to extend the term of the services chiefs following the approval of the bill to increase the SC judges' seats amid opposition protests.
According to details, Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani had given assent to the six bills passed by the both houses of parliament to increase the number of judges and extend the tenure of the services’ chiefs.
The NA session, which was presided over by speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, saw a surge in tensions, resulting in a physical altercation between the members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the ruling party.
As debates escalated, scuffles broke out, with PTI members clashing with government officials, leading to a chaotic scene where Sergeant-at-Arms intervened.
Prominent politicians, including Federal Law Minister Atta Tarar and other members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had exchanged heated remarks with the opposition members, prompting security personnel to intervene multiple times.
The NA session was adjourned until 11 am following the scuffle.
Earlier on same day, the NA approved a Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) (Amendment) Act, 2024 to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) to 34, despite strong opposition protests.
According to details, during the NA session, presided over by speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the opposition members had voiced strong objections. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, while presenting the bill, emphasised the importance of increasing judges in the SC and the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which will also see an increase from nine to 12 judges.
On this occasion, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had advised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan to allow other members to speak in a bid to maintain decorum.
Tarar said: "We listen to Barrister Gohar if he will listen to us."
The bill proceeded through clause-by-clause approval and was ultimately passed.
– Reactions from opposition, others –
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan criticised the recent passage of bills outside the parliament, asserting: “Today, democracy has been changed into a monarchy.”
Echoing the sentiments, PTI’s leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, expressed his disapproval regarding the government’s actions. He stated, “The service chiefs’ tenure is not a good thing for the country.”
The discontent is not limited to the PTI, as other political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) had also condemned the legislative moves.
Watch live coverage
