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19th Amendment becomes part of constitution as Zardari signs bill

KARACHI - President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday signed the 19th Amendment Bill, making it a part of the constitution.

By (Our correspondent)

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Published: Mon 3 Jan 2011, 1:13 AM

Last updated: Tue 30 Jun 2020, 4:24 PM

This is the second amendment to the constitution in less than a year; the amendment envisages a new system for appointments in the superior courts, aimed at settling a potential source of discord between the judiciary and executive.
Before the bill was sent to the president for his formal assent, the bill was unanimously adopted by the Senate whereas the National Assembly approved it with a two-thirds majority.
Under the amendment, the number of senior judges as members of the Judicial Commission has been raised to four while the number of members of the parliamentary committee for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner has also been increased to 12.
Now the Chief Justice of Supreme Court will make recommendations for the appointment of ad hoc judges in the superior courts in consultation with the Judicial Commission.
The bill further proposes that in case of dissolution of the National Assembly, the members of the parliamentary committee will be from the Senate only.
The amendment also provides permission for administrative and financial expenses of the Islamabad High Court and makes it mandatory for the members of the bar council to have at least 15 years of experience for appointment to the Judicial Council.
Later, Federal Law Minister Babar Awan told newsmen that its assent by the president was a gift to the nation on the occasion of New Year and will end the confrontation between the two pillars of the states, parliament and judiciary.
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