Editorial
The 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments have reshaped Pakistan’s judicial structure in ways that many consider historic and others see as deeply unsettling. It is true that Parliament has the constitutional authority to amend laws and reorganise the judicial system. No democracy can function unless its supreme legislature has the power to legislate. Yet authority alone is not enough. The real question is whether the Parliament exercising this power genuinely represents the will of the people.
Every constitutional debate eventually returns to one central issue: legitimacy. A Parliament born through transparent, credible and inclusive elections is legitimate, respected and accountable. A Parliament that emerges through contested or compromised processes, however powerful on paper, will always lack moral authority. This is the heart of Pakistan’s political crisis. The amendments may be constitutional, but are they backed by an institution that citizens trust? That is the real national debate.
The political system cannot stabilise unless the electoral system is fixed. Transparent elections are the foundation of democratic governance. They create governments that can legislate confidently, reform institutions boldly and face the public without fear. Without electoral credibility, every constitutional amendment—whether about courts, provinces or executive powers—becomes controversial. Political noise replaces public trust. Perceptions overshadow principles.
Pakistan’s long-term institutional reform must therefore begin not with courts or amendments but with elections. Only a Parliament that is genuinely answerable to citizens can reorganise the judiciary, strengthen rule of law and deliver the reforms needed for national stability. This is not just constitutional theory. It is the practical foundation of any functioning democracy. The path forward is clear: restore the electoral process, restore Parliament’s legitimacy and restore public confidence in the state.
