Pakistani Law Minister Dismisses Chief Justice Extension Debate, Cites Lack of Constitutional Majority

Islamabad: Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Law Minister and a leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), has dismissed ongoing discussions about extending the tenure of Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faiz Isa. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Tarar stated that the government does not possess the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment, making any discussions on extending the Chief Justice’s term irrelevant.
Tarar emphasized that Chief Justice Isa himself has expressed no desire for an extension. “The Chief Justice has informed me directly that he is not interested in an extension,” said Tarar. He further explained that discussions on this issue are unnecessary, as the Chief Justice’s position is clear and there is no current possibility for an extension given the government’s lack of required legislative support.
In response to the extension debate, Prime Minister’s Political Affairs Advisor Rana Sanaullah added that while Chief Justice Isa has declined an extension, he suggested that if the age limit for all positions were increased, it might be considered. However, Sanaullah acknowledged that the government lacks the numbers needed for a constitutional amendment, and such amendments require separate two-thirds majorities in both houses of Parliament.
Both officials highlighted that without the necessary legislative support and with the Chief Justice’s clear stance, the discussion on tenure extension should be concluded.