Press Release Title: Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House Islamabad.

Press Release Date: 18th December, 2025

A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice was held at the Parliament House under the Chairmanship of Senator Farooq Hamid Naek. The meeting was attended by Senators Khalil Tahir Sandhu, Shahadat Awan, and Samina Mumtaz Zehri, along with the Secretary Ministry of Law and Justice, Additional Draftsman, and other senior officials. During the meeting, the Committee carried out a detailed review of the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced in the Senate on September 9, 2024, by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri. Briefing the Committee, the mover of the Bill, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, stated that the proposed legislation seeks to amend Article 62 of the Constitution of Pakistan. The amendment proposes that holders of key constitutional and executive offices, including the President, Prime Minister, Governors, Chief Ministers, Chairman and Deputy Chairman Senate, Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Federal Ministers, Ministers of State, and Provincial Ministers, should possess at least a graduate-level qualification. The proposed requirement includes a bachelor’s degree in any discipline or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Higher Education Commission or under any prevailing law. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, observed that these offices are either filled through public elections or selections made by elected representatives, as provided under the Constitution. He emphasized that the Constitution guarantees fundamental rights and that restrictions on eligibility must not infringe upon those rights. Referring to past precedents, he noted that a similar requirement introduced, which was struck down by the Supreme Court. The Chairman further remarked that while the proposal carries positive intent, it could affect the basic structure of the Constitution. He suggested that such conditions, if considered necessary, may be better addressed through Rules of Business rather than through a constitutional amendment. After thorough deliberations, the Committee decided to seek views from all provinces before reaching a final decision. Minister of State for Law and Justice, Barrister Aqeel Malik stated that further progress should be made in accordance with the Committee’s decision after receiving feedback from all provinces. The Committee concluded that, as the matter relates to national policy, input from all relevant stakeholders is essential for developing a balanced and inclusive approach. The Bill will be reviewed further once the opinions of the provinces and stakeholders are received.   Other agenda items were deferred to the next meeting due to the absence of their respective movers.