ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of Pakistani lawyers on Sunday urged judges to distance themselves from a proposed federal constitutional court in the country, saying that any complicity in this regard would be tantamount to the “defacement” of the constitution.
Pakistan’s government this month sought to get a package of 52 history-making constitutional amendments passed in parliament but did not present it after failing to secure the required two-thirds majority needed for them to pass.
The proposed amendments are expected to establish a federal constitutional court, raise the retirement age of superior judges by three years and modify the process for the appointment of chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The matter has raised widespread concerns among lawyers, opposition parties and independent experts who say the moves are aimed at increasing the government’s power in making key judicial appointments and dealing with the defection of lawmakers during house votes.
“An assault on our Constitutional compact is being cloaked in the thin garb of arguments grounded in the supremacy of law. These are arguments that do not withstand the slightest intellectual scrutiny, given any serious consideration,” a group of over 300 senior lawyers said in an open letter addressed to the judges of high courts and the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
“We urge you — the judges of our constitutional courts — not to recognize this proposed court if such a bill is passed. We urge those of you who may be hand-picked to serve on it not to do so. Complicity will be no defense of the Constitution: it will be its defacement.”
This week, Aqeel Malik, a government spokesman on legal affairs, said Pakistan’s ruling coalition would table the constitutional amendments package in parliament in the first week of October.
The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has alleged that the amendments are an attempt to grant an extension to incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, who is widely viewed to be aligned with the ruling coalition and in opposition to its chief rival, the PTI.
Pakistan’s defense minister this month rejected the allegations and said the amendments would address “constitutional imbalances,” adding that public representatives had the right to undo any “intrusions” into parliamentary powers and the constitution.
“We refuse to engage, in good faith, with any such ideas because they are not ideas rooted in good faith,” the lawyers said, in their open letter to the judges of Pakistan’s superior courts.

ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Yousuf resigned as Pakistan cricket selector on Sunday due to personal reasons.

Yousuf’s resignation came only five days after Pakistan named its squad for the first test against England, starting at Multan on Oct. 7. Yousuf was one of the four members of the selection committee that also includes former test cricketer Asad Shafiq, test head coach Jason Gillespie and test captain Shan Masood.

“I announce my resignation as a selector for the Pakistan cricket team due to personal reasons,” Yousuf wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Serving this incredible team has been a profound privilege, and I am proud to have contributed to the growth and success of Pakistan Cricket.”

Yousuf was named to the selection panel earlier this year, but Pakistan had little success, making an early exit from the T20 World Cup where it lost group matches against arch-rival India and co-host United States. Bangladesh also registered a historic 2-0 win when it swept Pakistan in the two-test series.

Later, the Pakistan Cricket Board said that Yousuf had voluntarily stepped down from his role as a member of the national selection committee to focus on other key responsibilities within the PCB.

“The PCB expresses its sincere gratitude to Mohammad Yousuf for his invaluable contributions during his tenure as a selection committee member,” the PCB said in a statement.

“Yousuf will continue to play a pivotal role at the PCB, sharing his extensive knowledge and experience as the batting coach at the high performance center.”