- The federal government “gives the green light” to the final draft after the changes
- JUI-F to vote on constitutional amendments ‘after PTI response’.
- Bilawal says the PPP and JUI-F have reached “100% consensus” on the draft.
ISLAMABAD: The government is preparing to table the final draft of the proposed constitutional amendments in both houses of Parliament today – after a day of determined efforts to bring together the Treasury and opposition parties.
Federal Law Minister Azzam Nazir Tarar said, in a press conference held in the early hours of Sunday morning, that the Federal Council of Ministers will hold another session at 2:30 pm today to review and approve the final draft of the controversial twenty-sixth constitutional amendment.
The ruling party and opposition parties continued to hold separate meetings to achieve the desired result before the Cabinet finally met late Saturday night to discuss the constitutional amendments, after several delays.
The minister, flanked by Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, told reporters that Cabinet members were briefed on the project approved by Parliament’s special committee during the meeting.
He went on to say that the Federal Cabinet would give the green light to the final draft after making the amendments recommended by the special committee – which includes the Treasury and opposition MPs.
If approved by the Federal Cabinet, the draft is likely to be presented to the Senate and National Assembly during today’s sessions scheduled to be held at 3pm and 6pm respectively.
The Minister of Law expressed his optimism that a vote would be held on the draft proposed legal reforms after it was presented in today’s sessions.
The coalition government now asserts that it has achieved the “magic number” to pass amendments to the constitution, however, the introduction of the judicial package in Parliament has been facing delays due to attempts to develop a broader consensus among all political parties.
To pass the constitutional amendments, the government needs a two-thirds majority in Parliament, which sources claim was less than 13 votes in the National Assembly and nine in the Senate.
Last month, the coalition government made a futile attempt to pass the constitutional package. However, it failed to put the amendments before Parliament after Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl president Maulana Fazlur Rehman refused to support the judicial package presented by the government, leaving the controversial amendments hanging in the balance.
After many political fluctuations, members of the government and the opposition reportedly agreed on a joint draft of the 26th Constitutional Amendment on Friday.
The project stipulates the formation of the Constitutional Authority, a parliamentary role in appointing the President of the Supreme Court from a list of three judges, restructuring the Judicial Council and the Supreme Judicial Council, and determining the term of the President of the Court for a period of three years. justice.
However, Fazl – who remains the center of attention for all political parties – said his party would be able to cast votes in favor of the Constitution amendments after receiving a response from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). ) on whether or not to support the judicial package in Parliament, as the former ruling party sought a day to consult with the top leadership.
Talking to the media with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari late night, the veteran politician said his party reached a consensus on the constitutional package after the government agreed to remove all the parts that were not acceptable to the JUI-F.
Most of the parts that his party objected to have been resolved, he said, adding that the JUI-F took PTI into confidence in negotiations with the ruling parties.
Fazal said he believed the main opposition party’s quest for more time was justified, and so agreed.
Earlier in the day, after holding back-to-back meetings with Maulana Fazl, Bilawal said his party and JUI-F have reached 100% consensus on the proposed constitutional amendment.
The statement comes as the PPP chief made a final effort to reach a consensus on the judicial package among all political parties, including PTI.
Constitutional amendments at a glance
According to the project approved by the parliamentary body and obtained Geographic NewsThe Supreme Court Appointment Committee will consist of the learned Chief Justice, four senior judges of the Supreme Court, the Federal Law Minister, the Attorney General of Pakistan, a lawyer nominated by the Pakistan Bar Council, two members of the Senate and as many members of the National Assembly.
“The question of whether any advice, and if so, what advice was given to the President by the Council of Ministers or the Prime Minister, may not be investigated in or by any court, tribunal or other authority,” the draft said. “.
Under the draft amendment, the constitutional bodies may include an equal number of judges from each governorate.
“The Justice and Development Party, after the end of its three-year term, must retire regardless of the retirement age,” the draft stated.
The amendment also proposes to restructure the Supreme Judicial Council through amendments to Article 209 of the Constitution, and proposes that the body be composed of the CJP, the next two senior judges of the Supreme Court, and two senior judges of the high courts.