Islamabad: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday gave his formal assent to the 19th Constitutional Amendment Bill which changes the process for appointments in Pakistan's superior judiciary and is aimed at resolving differences between the judiciary and the executive.
Legislation now in Pakistan will be enacted through mutual consensus by taking along all political forces with the aim to make the country stronger.
The amendment envisages a new system for appointments in superior courts and aimed at removing a potential source of discord between the judiciary and parliament.
The signing ceremony in Karachi, where Zardari is camping, was attended by Senate Chairman Farooq H Naek, National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza and Raza Rabbani, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms.
Under the amendment, the number of senior judges who will serve as members of the Judicial Commission has been raised to four while the number of members of the parliamentary committee for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner has been increased to 12.
The Supreme Court Chief Justice will make recommendations for the appointment of ad hoc judges in superior courts in consultation with the Judicial Commission.
In case the National Assembly is dissolved, members of the parliamentary committee will be chosen from the Senate.
It also makes it mandatory for members of bar council to have at least 15 years of experience to be appointed to the Judicial Commission.
Addressing the gathering after signing the bill, Zardari dismissed speculation regarding a clash among the institutions of the state and said certain "political actors" were trying to sell a negative impression to the people.
However, all such efforts were in vain, he said.
With PTI inputs
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