Following lengthy negotiations with stakeholders, including legal experts, researchers, and political representatives, Pakistan’s Parliament successfully approved the 26th Constitutional Amendment, creating a new framework for judicial appointments and changes.
After a merit-based selection procedure, the parliamentary committee proposed Justice Yahya Afridi as Chief Justice, the first appointment of this kind under the new system. Although the committee stressed that all proposed judges were extremely qualified for the role, the selection process entailed a careful examination of individuals’ backgrounds and profiles.
In order to speed up court proceedings, the amendment separates constitutional and civil cases, among other important improvements to the legal system. Legal professionals predict that this division will enhance citizens’ access to justice and lessen the backlog of cases.
