Pakistan Senate Approves Supreme Court Reforms

Pakistan's Senate is debating a new ordinance aimed at enhancing the Chief Justice's powers and addressing judicial inefficiencies by increasing the Supreme Court's bench from 17 to 25 judges, despite significant opposition from parties like PTI and JUI-F. This initiative, presented by Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, includes changes to bench selection and public interest case procedures, with an emphasis on making Supreme Court hearings more accessible. Critics argue the changes could undermine judicial independence and be a means for the ruling coalition to influence court decisions. The backdrop to these developments includes a broader trend of authoritarian consolidation in Pakistan's governance, where military influence and electoral manipulation are prominent. Furthermore, the government's struggles with private sector compliance on reforms further complicate the landscape for sustainable economic growth. Overall, the current political climate raises concerns over the integrity of Pakistan's judicial and democratic processes.