While appearing on Aaj News programme News Insight with Amir Zia on Thursday, he addressed the question of what political objectives the government might achieve by raising the number of judges.

He was of the view that “it could be an attempt to transform the majority into a minority.”

Murtaza acknowledged that the government might have good intentions and genuinely wish to increase the number of judges, but he expressed skepticism, noting that it appears the government believes it was facing “tough challenges” in the courts and may be trying to shift the balance of power.

The government can indeed increase the number of judges, he said and added that if this needed to be done in the provinces, it could be accomplished through a presidential order; if it involves the Supreme Court, it can be done through Parliament.

When asked why the government is seemingly targeting the judiciary, Murtaza responded that their primary concern seems to be fear that elections may not proceed smoothly, particularly since a petition from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is pending.