JUI-F senator warns govt against another constitutional amendment

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Senator Kamran Murtaza has criticised the coalition partners' attempt for another amendment after the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, warning that the government is on a path to what he described as "destruction".

The JUI-F leader's remarks came three days after reports emerged that top leaders of the ruling coalition discussed the 27th Constitutional Amendment at a meeting in Lahore on October 27.

Murtaza, while speaking on Geo News programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath' on Friday, expressed disappointment with the 26th Constitutional Amendment, warning against a second attempt.

He said the coalition partners were going to launch another experiment, a direct reference to the 27th Amendment, which will be as unsuccessful as the first one.

He also commented on the speculated alliance between the JUI-F and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), clarifying that any decision on joining hands with the former ruling party for protests remains "premature". “There is no final decision on protesting alongside the PTI at this stage,” he added.

Murtaza also disclosed that the PTI leaders recently sent a goodwill message from the party’s founder Imran Khan, intended for JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman.

He elaborated that the message included "well wishes" for the JUI-F chief, adding that the message was intended to clarify that accusations of betrayal related to the amendment were "not directed at Maulana".

The JUI-F senator observed that after the Supreme Court's Bar Association's elections, "legal experts have largely accepted the 26th Amendment".