Bilawal says PPP, JUI-F achieve 100% consensus on constitutional tweaks

ISLAMABAD: In a major developing, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday announced that a 100% consensus was reached on the much-touted constitutional amendments between his party and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F). 

The statement comes as the PPP chief is making last ditch effort to evolve a consensus on the judicial package among all political parties including the PTI.

Addressing a public gathering in Hyderabad last night, the PPP chairman warned that he would be compelled to take a “controversial path” for the passage of the 26th constitutional amendment if the opposition parties refused to support his efforts to pass the judicial package with consensus.

Moreover, the special parliamentary committee — comprising government and opposition members — had "unanimously approved" the draft for the 26th constitutional amendment, said PPP lawmaker Syed Khursheed Shah on Friday.

Talking to journalist following his fresh meeting with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Bilawal said that he was in consistent contact with the latter on the matter related to constitutional amendment.

“We have reached consensus over legislation on judicial reforms.”

The PPP chairman said that he wished Maulana Fazl to table the 26th constitution amendment bill in parliament as “the draft is the same as Maulana Fazlur Rehman wanted”.

Responding to a question, the PPP leader expressed hope that the JUI-F could convince PTI to vote for the constitution amendment bill.

“PTI can vote for the Maulana Fazlur Rehman's draft.”

Referring to PTI’s past "political behaviour", Bilawal said: “PTI should prove that it is a political party.”

“Politics is the name of seeking consensus and reconciliation,” the PPP chairman advised the PTI.

He was of the view that PTI should have introduced judicial reforms during its tenure instead of him and added that that the government should not table the constitutional amendment bill in parliament.

To another query, the PPP chairman said: “Both the parties [PPP and JUI-F] have agreed on constitutional reforms. The joint draft was authored by the JUI-F chief.”

At the same time, Bilawal lauded the PML-N-led federal government for showing patience over the matter.

For his part, JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri confirmed that both parties have agreed on a joint draft of the constitutional package and lauded Bilawal’s efforts in this regard.

Responding to a question, he said: “We are waiting for PTI’s delegation [to discuss the draft].”

All political forces, including PML-N and PTI, will soon agree on the judicial reforms, he hoped.

Constitutional amendments at a glance

As per the draft, approved by the parliamentary body and obtained by Geo News, the commission for appointment of the SC judges would comprise the citing chief justice, four senior most judges of the top court, federal law minister, attorney-general for Pakistan, an advocate nominated by Pakistan Bar Council, two members from the Senate and as many from the National Assembly.

“The question whether any, and if so what, advice was tendered to the president by the cabinet, or the prime minister, shall not be inquired into in, or by, any court, tribunal or other authority”, read the draft.

The constitutional benches, as per the amendment draft, may comprise an equal number of judges from each province.

"The CJP, on completion term of three years, shall stand retired notwithstanding his age superannuation," reads the draft.

The amendment also proposes a restructuring of the SJC via tweaks to Article 209 of the Constitution and suggests that the body is to comprise the CJP, the two next most senior judges of the SC, and the two most senior chief justices of the high courts.