After a day of hectic back and forth, ruling alliance defers constitutional amendment for a day at Fazl’s behest

ISLAMABAD: The ruling coalition on Saturday evening deferred the passage of the proposed constitutional amendment from the Senate and National Assembly for a day on the request of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, as according to JUIF leader the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has sought Saturday’s time to respond. The federal ministers on Saturday claimed the government had obtained the majority to pass the legislation.

Earlier, the National Assembly session, which was scheduled to meet at 3 pm on Saturday, was delayed thrice and at last met at 11:45 pm, only to be adjourned till 11:30 pm Sunday. However, the schedule was changed again and now the National Assembly will meet at 6 pm on Sunday (today). The Senate session was also adjourned till 3 pm today.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also called the federal cabinet meeting on Saturday night. The cabinet meeting was held in the Prime Minister’s Chamber at the Parliament House. All federal ministers were present.

After the meeting, Federal Law Minister Nazir Tarar said the cabinet meeting will be held again on Sunday (today) at 2:30 pm, and after some changes, the approval of the amendment bill will be taken from the cabinet.

Earlier, in a press conference at the residence of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Saturday said passing of the proposed Constitutional Package by majority but without a consensus would be a defeat not a success. He noted the government had shown great patience.Bilawal said he had maintained constant engagement with Maulana Fazl on the constitutional amendment. He stated that following discussions in Karachi, there was a complete agreement between the PPP and JUIF on the content of the legislation linked to judicial reforms.

Bilawal said that during Saturday’s meeting with Maulana Fazl, he expressed his desire for the JUIF chief to present the legislation in parliament, stressing that the draft was as much of JUIF as it was of PPP’s. “The discussion, which initially focused on forming a constitutional court, has concluded with consensus on establishing constitutional benches. The aim is to strengthen parliament by reversing the 19th Amendment,” he said.

The PPP chairman clarified that the draft aligns with Maulana Fazl’s proposals and addressed misconceptions that the PPP or JUIF had compromised their principles.

He said the draft reflected a consensus on judicial reforms and also included Maulana Fazl’s demands as per his party manifesto, particularly regarding Interest and the Council of Islamic Ideology. Bilawal also mentioned that the meeting of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) team with the party’s founding chairman Imran Khan had taken place.

He believed that Maulana Fazl would engage with the PTI to gather their input, with the expectation that the PTI will support the draft since it contained no provisions objectionable to them. He stated that the PTI must now demonstrate its commitment to the political process, emphasizing that success in politics comes through compromise and consensus.

“PTI should prove that it is a political party and not a social media mob. PTI should at least vote on the draft of Maulana Fazlur Rehman.”Bilawal further remarked that, having left no stone unturned politically, neither the PPP nor Maulana Fazl bear the responsibility for going forward. The onus now is on the PTI.

He underscored that the Constitution was passed by their elders, so that’s why both the PPP and Maulana Fazl had worked tirelessly on the legislation. He stressed that it should not be viewed as a government bill, and it would be a political victory for all democratic forces if Fazl presents the bill, which protects both democracy and the Constitution and it is passed.

The PPP chairman said that passing the amendment by consensus would be akin to the triumphs of the 18th Amendment and the 1973 Constitution. “If there is no consensus, we will do the legislation, but it will be a defeat instead of a victory,” he added.

He hoped that the PTI would learn from Fazl’s experience and political acumen. “If PTI pursues an alternative path, the responsibility will rest with them,” he said.

Addressing the press conference with Bilawal, the JUIF chief said that the PTI had asked for today (Saturday)’s time and he would get their answer. Fazl said that the PPP and JUIF had reached a consensus on the constitutional amendment. “Further consultation was held with the PMLN leadership in Lahore and the government agreed to withdraw the points we objected to,” he added.

Fazl said the PTI was also taken into confidence, adding that he received a positive message from Imran. “The message which I received through PTI leaders from PTI founder bears a positive tone and positive attitude which we required.” He said the PTI’s reply would be received on Sunday (today). “We are waiting for them.”

He said for the last over one month, they also continued to take the PTI leadership on board with regard to consultations with the government and they were also apprised of the progress made from time to time.

“After meeting PTI founder, the party’s leaders met me today [Saturday] and apprised me of details of the meeting with Imran,” Fazl said.Earlier, Bilawal again met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and after that held a meeting with Maulana Fazl to create a consensus on the constitutional amendment.

During the meeting at the residence of Maulana Fazl, the PPP chairman also met Balochistan National Party-Mengal chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal and discussed the proposed constitutional amendments.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also met the JUIF chief at his residence. Later, deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar and Minister for Law Azam Nazir Tarar joined him along with the final draft of the Constitution amendment bill containing judicial reforms.Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said that his party’s two senators might vote for the government’s constitutional amendment bill. “Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur and Faisal Saleem Rahman are the two senators who might cast vote in favour of the government’s constitutional amendment,” he told reporters after meeting Fazl.

Gohar stated that there has been no consensus on the draft under discussion. He reflected positively on the meetings with Fazl and added that such engagements were part of the democratic process. Gohar revealed that two of their senators were leaning towards the government, which he condemned.

“If people are to be taken like this, it is not democracy. If this is the case, then there is no need for a prime minister. Our parliamentary representatives will come to parliament, and we expect them to stand with us.”

The PTI has decided to continue consultations with Fazl on the constitutional amendments, informing him that the founder has requested time until Monday for further discussions.

Earlier, after meeting with Imran Khan, the PTI delegation had arrived at the JUI-F chief’s residence to engage in consultations on the constitutional amendment.

Meanwhile, talking to the media outside the Parliament House along with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) senior leader Hanif Abbasi, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said that despite having the numbers, the coalition government was making all-out efforts for the creation of a broader consensus on the proposed constitutional package.

He said the process of consultations for the package was going on. “We are democratic people, we try to create a consensus among all political stakeholders,” he said, adding that in democratic societies, efforts are made for consensus building through consultations.

He said that by changing the rules within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the powers of posting and transfer of police officers have been taken over by the chief minister from the IG. The minister said the PTI aimed to obtain political objectives from the police. He alleged that the KP government wanted to control the people of the province politically.

Tarar said that the people from Punjab were also kept in KP and the blame was shifted on the institutions for what they called their disappearance. The KP chief minister invaded the capital and used government resources against the Federation, he said. The minister said the PTI had the habit of blaming others but they did not look into their behaviour.

Replying to questions, the minister said there were other options within the Constitution and law but the PMLN leadership thought that a consensus should be created on the amendments. He said the government had an open mind in moving ahead with constitutional amendments.

In terms of judicial reforms, efforts were being made for consensus in the wider national interest, but if that was not possible, other options while remaining within the scope of the Constitution and law were available, he said.

To a question, he said that elements behind spreading fake news of rape have been traced. “A woman belonging to Karachi who posted fake news on social media yesterday has been traced,” he said. He said during the recent student protests, students were not tortured. Students were brought to the streets through an organised campaign and names of PTI leaders behind this would be disclosed. He said an FIR has been registered against those who took part in this campaign.

Ruling out any concession to those involved in the £190 million scandal, Toshakhana and cipher cases, the minister said that the £190 million case was a mega corruption case in the history of Pakistan. “There is a zero-tolerance policy in this regard, no NRO will be given to a criminal,” he added. He demanded that May 9 cases should be brought to a logical conclusion as soon as possible by awarding punishment to culprits.

The minister said the National Assembly session was adjourned for further consultations with Maulana Fazl and other political parties to create a broader consensus. He said PMLN President Nawaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz Sharif were also coming to Islamabad.

Replying to a query, the information minister said there had never been any bitterness with any journalist. He said he always had tried to work for the welfare of media community and was always available for freedom of expression.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media outside the Parliament House, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif said the government desired to pass the 26th Constitutional Amendment with broad-based consensus. “We have the required numbers for the passage of 26th Constitutional Amendment, but we seek to develop a broader consensus in the National Assembly and Senate.”

The minister said that the primary objective of the amendment was to establish the supremacy of parliament, which guarantees the Constitution of the country. “We want to put an end to the encroachment on parliament and ensure that supremacy of this forum, as promised by the Constitution of Pakistan, is upheld,” he added.

Khawaja Asif further said that all political parties had unanimously agreed that the supremacy of parliament must not be compromised. He said that elected representatives have the authority to legislate for the welfare of public and a minority should not impose its decisions on the majority.

Addressing the issue of misinformation, the minister criticised the creation of a false narrative suggesting that members of the Senate and National Assembly had been kidnapped. “They should reveal the names of those allegedly kidnapped, imprisoned or held hostage,” he said.

He cited the fabricated incident in Lahore as an example of how such falsehoods are being circulated. Without naming any specific party, the minister remarked that a particular political party consistently developed fake narratives to advance its agenda.

In response to a question, the defence minister dismissed the claims that some parties were blackmailing the government and said that constitutional amendments always required time to reach an agreement.

Meanwhile, Adviser to the PM on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the government is confident about its numbers in both the upper and lower houses regarding this amendment.

Talking to a private news channel, he mentioned that the suggestions from JUIF and all allied parties had been considered. He emphasized the government was seeking a broader consensus rather than merely relying on a headcount. He said the JUIF chief is supporting the government because the final draft was prepared in line with his recommendations. Maulana Fazl acts as a true democrat as he is making efforts to convince the PTI, he added.

Also, the federal cabinet will meet here on Sunday (today) prior to the session of the National Assembly and Senate to accord approval to the Constitution (twenty sixth) Amendment bill, 2024. “ Following approval by the cabinet, the Constitution amendment bill will be introduced and approved by two houses of parliament today,” Minister for Law Azam Nazir Tarar, while briefing the media on details of the cabinet meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, late night said.

He said that in view of ministers belonging to allied parties, it was decided to hear their opinions. “The prime minister believes in process of consultation,” he said.

He said some changes would be made in salient features and draft of the bill and then it would be presented before the cabinet for final approval. In order to show political solidarity, approval would be required so that the bill would be moved by any other political party.

He said that amendments pertain to charged expenditures as per Article 81 of the Constitution as creation two secretariats for Judicial Commission and preparation of references with regard to accountability of judges would be required. He said an amendment would also be required so that a party apart from the government could move the bill.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah said that on the desire of Maulana Fazl, the voting on the amendment bill had been deferred till Sunday (today). He said that it would be a good message if Fazl had received good gesture from the PTI founder.

However, he said he still doubts the intentions of PTI leaders saying that they might be gaining time to change the mind of Maulana Fazlur Rehman. He said that he was personally in favour that the draft of Fazl is taken up for consideration by two houses of parliament. “If it is a consensus document, then it will be moved by Fazl as also desired by Bilawal Bhutto,” he said.

To a question, he refuted the allegations that any bribe was offered to opposition parliamentarians to support the Constitutional amendment. He told a questioner that Maulana Fazl would not back out of his commitment as on his desire, the voting had been deferred for a day.