ISLAMABAD: The Senate of Pakistan on Sunday approved all 22 clauses of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2024, capping the tenure of the country’s top judge at three years among other changes.
Sharif’s administration has been attempting to introduce a set of constitutional changes in parliament since last month which the country’s opposition and legal fraternity argue are aimed at granting more power to the executive in making judicial appointments. The government denies this.
The appointment of the chief justice of Pakistan will be made by a 12-member parliamentary committee for a period of three years, according to the draft amendment. The top judge will retire upon reaching the age of 65 years.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar tabled the bill in the Senate, according to which a constitutional bench will be established within the Supreme Court, while constitutional benches could also be established in provinces.
“Sixty-five members are in favor of the motion regarding passage of the bill and four members are against it,” Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani said, announcing results of voting on the bill.
“So, the motion is carried by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of the Senate and consequently, the bill stands passed.”
The bill now awaits approval by the National Assembly, after which it will be sent to the president to be signed into law.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate earlier, the law minister said the bill was aimed at providing swift justice to common people.
“It proposes an amendment with regard to constitutional benches in the Supreme Court… and the Judicial Commission of Pakistan will nominate their judges,” he said.
Former premier Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition party has alleged the government is using the amendments to grant an extension in office to incumbent Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, widely seen as aligned with the ruling coalition government. The federal government has rejected Khan’s allegations.
“The political committee of the PTI has decided to boycott the voting process in both houses of parliament,” the PTI said in a statement on Sunday.
Earlier in the day, Tarar gave a detailed briefing to the federal cabinet on the 26th constitutional amendment and the cabinet members approved a draft of the amendments proposed by the coalition parties.
“The cabinet took the decision in the wider interest of the country while adhering to the oath of national development and public welfare,” PM Sharif was quoted as saying by his office on the occasion.
“By the grace of Allah, after stability of the country’s economy, a milestone has been achieved for constitutional stability and rule of law in the country.”
The ruling coalition had worked out the draft after “broader consultation” with all political parties and their leaders in parliament as well as with legal representatives, according to Tarar.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key ally of the Sharif-led coalition government, spearheaded efforts to woo opposition parties and prominent lawyers to accept the controversial amendments.
In a press conference on Saturday night, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Jamiat Ulama-e-Pakistan Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazl-ur-Rehman confirmed “major” disputes between both sides had been resolved after the government had removed some sections of the initial draft on which the opposition had expressed its reservations.
“The government agreed to withdraw all the contentious sections we objected to, paving the way for consensus,” Rehman told reporters. “At this stage, there are no major disputes between us about the amendments, and most of the contentious issues have been resolved.”
Pakistan’s Senate passes constitutional amendment bill capping top judge’s tenure at three years
https://arab.news/9f24m
Pakistan’s Senate passes constitutional amendment bill capping top judge’s tenure at three years
- The bill allows for the establishment of constitutional courts, appointment of chief justice by parliamentary committee
- Sixty-five senators voted in favor of the bill, while four members of the House opposed it, Senate chairman announced
Met Office issues GLOF alert for northern Pakistan amid rising temperatures
- Hot and humid weather prevailed over most parts of Pakistan in the last 24 hours
- Monsoon rains and glacier melt caused deadly floods in 2022, affecting 33 million
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday issued an alert regarding possible Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in Pakistan’s northern areas, amid rising temperatures in the country.
Hot and humid weather prevailed over most parts of Pakistan and isolated falls of rain were recorded in Punjab, Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh in the last 24 hours.
Nokkundi in Balochistan recorded the highest temperature on Friday 47°C, followed by 46°C in Bunji in Gilgit-Baltistan, and 45 in Dalbandin, Sibbi and Jacobabad, according to the PMD.
“Due to a significant rise in temperatures and upcoming system in northern Pakistan, the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) is very likely to increase in glaciated areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” it said.
“The persistent high temperatures may accelerate snow and glacier melt and subsequent weather events, potentially triggering GLOF and flash floods incidents, in vulnerable valleys and surrounding regions.”
The development comes as Pakistan braces for an extreme monsoon season that usually lasts till mid-September, with over 60 people killed in rains and floods in a little more than a week.
“All concerned are advised to remain alert and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation,” the PMD said in its alert.
Pakistan, home to over 240 million people, is consistently ranked among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.
In 2022, record-breaking monsoon rains and glacier melt caused catastrophic floods that affected 33 million people, killed more than 1,700 and caused over $30 billion in financial losses.
Death toll from Pakistan building collapse rises to 15
- Friday’s incident was the latest in a string of deadly building collapses in Karachi
- It laid bare the issue of unsafe housing in the city, home to over 20 million people
KARACHI: The death toll from a five-storey building collapse in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi rose to 15 on Saturday, officials said, after rescuers pulled more bodies from the rubble overnight.
The Fotan Mansion residential building, where several families were said to be living, crumbled shortly around 10am on Friday in the impoverished Lyari neighborhood of the city.
Rescue workers, along with residents of the area, continued their operation to find survivors and bodies through the night, once again laying bare the issue of unsafe housing in Karachi.
“Rescue operation still continues at Baghdadi Lyari where the building had collapsed yesterday,” Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said. “As of now the death toll is 15.”
The building collapse left around a dozen other people injured.
Many of the occupants were members of the low-income Hindu minority community and residents estimated that around 40 people were inside when the building collapsed.
According to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Fotan Mansion had been declared unsafe as far back as 2012.
“This building was declared dangerous by the SBCA in 2012 and had been served multiple notices over the years,” SBCA spokesperson Shakeel Dogar told Arab News. “Before the recent rains, public announcements were also made in the area, but unfortunately, no one was willing to vacate.”
Friday’s incident is the latest in a string of deadly building collapses in Karachi.
In February 2020, a five-storey building collapsed in Rizvia Society, killing at least 27 people. The following month, another residential structure came down in Gulbahar, claiming 16 lives. In June 2021, a three-storey building in Malir collapsed, killing four. And just last year, in August, a building collapse in Qur'angi led to at least three deaths.
Mayor Wahab said on Friday evening that rescue efforts remained their top priority, with accountability and investigation to follow.
“Once we’re done with the rescue aspect, we will focus on who was responsible for this negligence or omission,” he added.
Pakistan seeks Saudi investment in agri-infrastructure, eyes long-term food security
- Pakistan proposes joint work on desert agriculture, seed development and water efficiency
- It highlights commitment to climate-adaptive agriculture amid environmental degradation
KARACHI: Pakistan on Friday urged Saudi Arabia to invest in agricultural research and storage infrastructure as part of a broader push for sustainable food security, according to an official statement.
The call was made during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki in Islamabad, following the launch ceremony of the third phase of the Saudi Food Security Support Project in Pakistan.
“Rana Tanveer Hussain shared Pakistan’s long-term vision for achieving sustainable food security through investment in agricultural research, innovation and modernized farming systems,” said the statement circulated after the meeting.
“The Minister proposed deeper collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in key areas such as joint agricultural research, technological exchange and investment in food processing and storage infrastructure,” it added.
Hussain also highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to improving irrigation practices and promoting climate-adaptive agriculture to address the growing challenges posed by environmental degradation.
He invited Saudi investors to explore opportunities in agri-based projects, particularly in high-yield zones, and called for institutional cooperation between universities and research centers in both countries.
The minister also proposed joint work on desert agriculture, seed development and water efficiency, describing them as high-impact areas for regional collaboration.
Earlier, he distributed food baskets to families under the Saudi Food Security Support Project and interacted with recipients.
Now in its third phase, the Saudi-backed initiative is delivering essential food supplies to thousands of households across Pakistan, providing much-needed relief amid climate-related challenges.
Azerbaijan signs $2 billion investment agreements with Pakistan on sidelines of ECO summit
- Development came after sustained engagement between Pakistani and Azerbaijani officials recently
- PM Shehbaz Sharif also held separate meetings with the presidents of Turkiye, Iran and Uzbekistan
ISLAMABAD: Azerbaijan signed investment agreements worth $2 billion with Pakistan on Friday to boost economic cooperation, said an official statement released in Islamabad, in a major development during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the Central Asian state for the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit.
The two-day summit, hosted in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, focused on a sustainable and climate-resilient future for the region.
In his address, Sharif warned that climate change posed an existential threat to ECO member states, highlighting the impact of melting glaciers, floods, desertification and declining crop yields. He also emphasized more trade, tourism and regional integration to enhance economic prosperity.
“In the presence of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov signed agreements for $2 billion of investment in Pakistan’s economic sector from Azerbaijan,” the PM Office announced in a statement.
The agreements were signed following a bilateral meeting between Sharif and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, with officials hoping for a more detailed agreement during Aliyev’s upcoming visit to Pakistan.
“The agreement has elevated investment and trade relations between the two countries to a historic level and will serve as a guarantee for further strengthening their brotherly ties and commercial partnership,” the official Pakistani statement added.
It also described the development as a result of sustained engagement between Pakistani ministries and diplomats and their Azerbaijani counterparts over recent months.
SIDELINE DIPLOMACY
On the sidelines of the summit, Sharif held separate meetings with the presidents of Turkiye, Iran and Uzbekistan, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional cooperation, peace and connectivity.
In his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, both leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and vowed to accelerate progress in critical areas.
“The two leaders reiterated their resolve to bring about meaningful progress in relations... [emphasizing] the importance of deepening cooperation in trade, defense, energy, connectivity and investment,” said a separate handout by the PM Office.
To advance this agenda, both sides agreed to exchange high-level delegations to finalize understandings reached between the sides.
In another key engagement, the Pakistani prime minister met Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, with both sides reviewing the implementation of previous agreements to strengthen bilateral ties.
Sharif praised Iran’s leadership during the recent conflict with Israel and welcomed Tehran’s decision to agree to a ceasefire.
“The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the people and Government of Iran and Pakistan’s strong commitment to continue working closely with Iran for peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement said.
In his meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Sharif focused on regional integration, energy cooperation, and the Trans-Afghan Railway Project, which is seen as vital for unlocking trade corridors between Central and South Asia.
“The two leaders agreed on visits of their senior ministers to Tashkent and Islamabad to finalize necessary agreements,” the PMO said, adding that both sides viewed their cultural and historical ties as a strong foundation for broader collaboration.
Escaped lion attacks woman and children in Pakistan street
- CCTV footage shows the lion jumping the barrier around its home and pursuing the family
- It knocks the woman to the ground and claws the arms and faces of her two children
LAHORE: An escaped pet lion chased a woman and two children down a busy street in Pakistan’s Lahore, police said Friday, with dramatic footage showing the big cat leaping a wall before pouncing on them.
CCTV footage released by the police showed the lion jumping the barrier around its home and pursuing a woman carrying her shopping on Thursday night.
The lion jumped on her back, knocking her to the ground, the footage showed.
A police report quoted the father as saying the lion then turned to his five-year-old and seven-year-old children, and clawed their arms and faces.
All three were taken to hospital but were not in a critical condition.
The owners who ran out of the house were “amused to see their lion attack” the passersby, the father added in the report.
Police said Friday they had arrested three men.
“The suspects fled from the spot, taking the lion with them. They were arrested within 12 hours of the incident,” the office of the Deputy Inspector General Operations in Lahore told AFP.
The lion, an 11-month-old male, has been confiscated by police and sent to a wildlife park.
Officials at the facility said that the animal appears to be in good health.
Keeping exotic animals, especially big cats, as pets has long been seen as a sign of privilege and power in Punjab, the most populous province of the country.
In December 2024, an adult lion escaped from its enclosure in another neighborhood of Lahore, terrorizing residents before being shot dead by a security guard.
The incident prompted the provincial government to pass new laws regulating the sale, purchase, breeding and ownership of big cats.
The law now requires owners to obtain licenses for the animals which are barred from being kept in residential areas.
Breeders have to pay a hefty fee for registration, while farms have to be a minimum of 10 acres in size.
