Adviser to the Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday highlighted ongoing consultations among lawyer organizations and bar associations regarding the formation of a Constitutional Court.
Speaking exclusively in Samaa TV program “Nadeem Malik Live,” he said that the idea of establishing such a court was first introduced in the Charter of Democracy and has been a long-standing demand of democratic forces.
The adviser to PM explained that the objective is to resolve tensions between Parliament and the judiciary, a goal that was previously agreed upon to ease institutional stress. He expressed concern that the Supreme Court has taken on the role of rewriting the Constitution, which has led to conflicts with Parliament.
He stressed the need to establish the Constitutional Court as a solution to these issues, stating that it would allow for a more balanced distribution of judicial authority.
Mr Sanaullah also noted that the concept of a Constitutional Court is gaining traction within political circles, with figures such as Maulana Fazlur Rehman supporting the initiative. He revealed that discussions are underway regarding the necessary constitutional amendments to make this court a reality, including the procedure for appointing judges.
The PML-N leader remarked that just as judges can deliver justice in the Supreme Court, they should be able to do the same in a dedicated Constitutional Court.
Reflecting on past tensions between judiciary members, he referenced the treatment of Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa during former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar’s tenure, suggesting that these experiences highlight the need for judicial reform.
Sanaullah also addressed concerns from the opposition, particularly Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), questioning whether they would be satisfied with the appointment of any senior judge, given their criticisms of the judiciary.
Rana Sanaullah questioned whether PTI would agree if Justice Mansoor Ali Shah were appointed to the Constitutional Court. He mentioned that one of the three most senior judges of the Supreme Court could be selected as the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. He further added that since PTI has reservations about the current Chief Justice, would they be satisfied with the second or third most senior judge?
Furthermore, he confirmed that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is being consulted on all key political decisions, particularly the establishment of the Constitutional Court. He assured that no significant steps would be taken without Sharif's approval, emphasising his central role in the decision-making process of both the federal and Punjab governments.
The adviser to the PM further expressed frustration over PTI’s reluctance to engage in negotiations, which has stalled efforts to resolve political tensions through dialogue. Despite this, he remains confident that the establishment of the Constitutional Court will move forward, ensuring the judiciary and Parliament work together more harmoniously in the future.
