PTI accuses govt of turning parliament into ‘rubber stamp’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan strongly criticized the government on Monday for “bulldozing” new bills through the National Assembly and Senate, accusing them of turning parliament into a “rubber stamp.”

Speaking to journalists outside Parliament House, Barrister Gohar said, “Parliament in Pakistan is being reduced to a rubber-stamp. The voice of the opposition is being stifled in the House. This path towards monarchy is not the destiny of the Pakistani people.”

His comments came after the lower house passed six bills, including “The Supreme Court Number of Judges (Amendment) Bill, 2024,” which received majority support following a thorough clause-by-clause review. Other bills included the “Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) (Amendment) Bill, 2024,” “Islamabad High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2024,” “Pakistan Army Amendment Bill, 2024,” “Pakistan Air Force Amendment Bill, 2024,” and the “Pakistan Navy Amendment Bill, 2024.”

The PTI leader stressed that Pakistan’s citizens reject any legislation steering the country towards authoritarianism. “As usual, the government was in a rush to push these bills through today,” he added.

Barrister Gohar expressed doubt that lawmakers who approved the bills fully understood their contents. He further claimed the government’s motive for passing the Supreme Court judges’ amendment bill was to increase the number of judges to 34 in order to appoint a Chief Justice of its preference and to reduce the backlog of cases.

Criticizing the judiciary-focused bill, he remarked, “A state has three pillars. Weakening one pillar weakens the entire state.” He argued that the government was undermining citizens’ fundamental rights and leading the country toward ruin.