Key points of constitutional amendment come to light 

ISLAMABAD: The drafting of the proposed 26th constitutional amendment has entered its final stage, with the main provisions now coming to light.

According to sources, the draft seeks to establish a five or a nine-member constitutional bench in the Supreme Court, while no such benches would be formed at the provincial level.

The proposed draft suggests that the Judicial Commission will be responsible for constituting the constitutional bench, including appointing its head.

The chief justice of the Supreme Court would not have the authority to alter the composition of the constitutional bench.

One of the major proposals in the draft is to set a fixed term for the appointment of the constitutional bench.

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Similarly,the amendment includes a proposal to remove the Supreme Court’s power of suo motu notice.

Another significant proposal is to appoint the chief justice of the Supreme Court from among the three most senior judges.

The draft also suggests changes to the process of appointing the Chief Election Commissioner. If the prime minister and the leader of the opposition fail to reach a consensus, the Parliamentary Committee would appoint the Chief Election Commissioner.

The draft also includes a proposal to fully restore the 18th constitutional amendment and abolish the 19th constitutional amendment.

Under the proposed changes to Article 63-A, votes would be counted according to party policy.

Additionally, the amendment of Article 48 is part of the draft, stating that the advice given by the prime minister and the federal cabinet to the president cannot be challenged, and no court or authority will have the power to investigate or act upon it.