In Senate, PTI says proposed changes to Constitution akin to 'burying it'

• PML-N dismisses criticism, urges PTI's participation.
• PTI warns tweaks weaken Constitution's foundation.
• Amendment an attempt to bury Constitution: Hamid Khan
  

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senators on Sunday voiced strong opposition to the proposed changes in the Constitution via the 27th Amendment.

Senate Chairperson Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani presided over today's proceedings, which were held to mull over the proposed constitutional tweaks.

Speaking on the floor of the House, PTI Senator Ali Zafar reaffirmed his party's strong opposition to the proposed amendment, warning that altering the Constitution was akin to "tampering with the foundation of a building".

He likened the nation to a building, saying the government’s actions were "weakening its very foundation".

The PTI leader expressed dismay over the pace at which the government was pushing for the proposed amendment, saying that constitutional amendments took a long time even when the country was "under dictatorships".

Senator Zafar rejected the proposed amendment, which, according to him, was introduced by a parliament with no "genuine public support".

"This so-called parliament does not have the authority to amend the Constitution," he said.

The PTI leader criticised the proposed judicial reforms, warning they would reduce Supreme Court judges to the level of Supreme District and Sessions Court judges.

Senator Zafar cautioned that the proposed judicial appointment process could threaten the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.

Speaking on the floor of the upper house of parliament, PTI Senator Hamid Khan described the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment as an attempt to "bury the Constitution."

Khan emphasised the importance of consensus before any change was brought forward.

Calling the 26th Amendment "the death of the Constitution," he said that the 27th Amendment represented an effort to "bury it completely".

"The 26th and 27th amendments are a matter of national shame," he said, warning that if the judicial system collapsed, "citizens would have nowhere to go for their rights."

Senator Khan asserted that those who vote in favour of the amendment "would not be able to justify their actions in history," adding that the move has "destroyed the judicial system and distorted the Constitution".

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) Senator Pervaiz Rashid dismissed PTI leaders’ criticism of the amendments, saying they showed "only the perspective that suited" them.

"Judicial independence enjoyed today was not achieved through the efforts of the judiciary, but through the struggles of the country's political activists," he said.

He added that the judiciary took undue advantage of its independence.

Referring to PTI lawmakers' speeches, Senator Rashid said that the opposition appeared to have agreed to all other proposals for the amendment except the judicial reforms.

The PML-N leader wished PTI members had taken part in committee discussions to voice their opinions.

This is a developing story and is being updated with further details.