Islamabad: In a recent meeting of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice, political parties have reached a consensus on increasing the number of Supreme Court judges.
The committee has requested details from the Supreme Court Registrar regarding pending cases and from the Ministry of Law about vacant positions in the High Courts.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar proposed the establishment of constitutional courts to address constitutional matters.
PTI’s Hamid Khan opposed this, arguing that the Supreme Court should remain the sole constitutional court, citing past issues with separate constitutional courts in other countries.
According to news, the meeting, chaired by Senator Farooq H. Naek, saw agreement on increasing the number of Supreme Court judges.
The committee decided to review pending cases in the Supreme Court and obtain details about vacant positions in the High Courts.
Senator Farooq H. Naek stated that the number of Supreme Court judges would be determined based on the details provided by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
He emphasized that the number of judges needed in the Supreme Court would be decided by the committee, noting the increasing case load with the same 17 judges.
Senator Fauzia Arshad, who proposed the bill to increase judges, cited the need for more judges as a clear indicator of the necessity to expand the bench.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar suggested reviewing case details from the Supreme Court Registrar’s office before further discussion, as it might reveal a need for up to 24 judges.
The committee postponed the bill on increasing the number of Supreme Court judges until the next meeting.
Previously, the committee reviewed a proposed constitutional amendment bill from PTI Senator Fauzia Arshad concerning increasing Supreme Court judges. Chairman Naek mentioned that increasing the number of judges could be achieved through simple legislation, rather than a constitutional amendment, suggesting that the number should be 21 instead of 19.
Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar argued that the Supreme Court should remain the constitutional court and recommended limiting appellate forums to the High Court level.
He also highlighted the need to assess how many full or larger benches are required in the Supreme Court.
PTI Senator Hamid Khan opposed the creation of a separate constitutional court, citing issues faced by countries with such systems and pointing out that India, with a larger population, operates with a single Supreme Court.
Senator Anusha Rehman supported the establishment of constitutional courts but urged the Law Minister to provide facts on whether the increase in pending cases is due to judges’ conduct or other reasons, and to assess the exact need for judges in the Supreme Court.
Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar mentioned that the issue was more about judicial capacity than independence and suggested considering the establishment of a constitutional court.
The committee also deferred proposed constitutional amendments related to Article 25-B, increasing reserved seats for minorities under Articles 51 and 106, and amendments to Article 62.