19th Amendment Bill: President accords his formal assent

President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday gave his formal assent to the 19th Amendment Bill, making it a part of the Constitution. The signing ceremony was attended by Senate Chairman Farooq H. Naek, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza, Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms Mian Raza Rabbani, Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.
Addressing the gathering after signing the bill, President Zardari termed it "a New Year gift of democracy" for the nation. He said in future as well, the legislation would be done through mutual consensus by taking along all political forces with an aim to make the country stronger. He said today's constitutional milestone proved that history is made through political foresight.
Zardari mentioned the speculations regarding clash among the institutions and said the "political actors" tried to sell a negative impression. He said, however, all such effort went in vain and ultimately the political sagacity ruled. Mian Raza Rabbani said the passing of 19th Amendment by the parliament was a historical success of the democratic forces. The credit went to all political parties.
He hoped that the political forces would continue the expression of their national sagacity in future. The amendment envisages a new system for appointments in the superior courts, aimed at settling a potential source of discord between the judiciary and the parliament.
Before the bill was sent to the president for formal assent, it was unanimously passed by the Senate and with a two-third majority by the National Assembly. Under the amendment, the number of senior judges as members of the Judicial Commission has been raised to four while the number of members of the parliamentary committee for the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner has also been increased to 12.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan will make recommendations for the appointment of ad hoc judges in the superior courts in consultation with the Judicial Commission. In case of dissolution of the National Assembly, the members of the parliamentary committee will be from the Senate only. The amendment also provides permission for administrative and financial expenses of the Islamabad High Court. It also makes essential for the members of bar council to have at least 15 years of experience for appointment to the Judicial Commission.