Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced on Tuesday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is gearing up for a nationwide protest against the newly passed Constitution (Twenty-Sixth Amendment) Act, 2024. Speaking to reporters in Peshawar, he stated that the party rejects the changes aimed at judicial reforms but did not specify a date for the planned protests.
Gandapur described the amendment as an attack on the independent judiciary, asserting, “We will raise our voice against this illegitimate alteration to the Constitution.” He vowed that the PTI would work to overturn the amendment.
He claimed that the current leaders are positioning judges of their choice to secure favourable legal outcomes. This statement followed the ruling coalition’s successful passage of the controversial judicial reforms in parliament, where they achieved a two-thirds majority—225 in the lower house and 65 in the upper house.
The reforms, which the PTI opposed, involve a new selection process for the Chief Justice of Pakistan by a parliamentary committee, with a fixed term of three years. A new constitutional bench will also be established.
This legislation was endorsed after a lengthy parliament session that began on Sunday evening and concluded early Monday. Prime Minister Shehbaz promptly advised President Asif Ali Zardari to sign it into law following its parliamentary approval.
Gandapur emphasized that the PTI would continue protests until they remove the current government, which he accused of making decisions that benefit themselves rather than the people. He asserted, “Our workers are united, and I will lead the protests that will extend across the country. We will block all of Pakistan.”
He also instructed party members to conduct the movement peacefully and politically. Addressing concerns over some PTI members who voted in favor of the legislation, Gandapur declared that those who “betrayed” the party would be expelled. He mentioned those implicated in “vote selling” would receive show-cause notices, reinforcing his earlier decision to deny an election ticket to Mubarak Zeb, whom he accused of betraying the party.
