- Bilawal says the PPP wants consensus among all political forces.
- He says the government has the option of securing the magic number via conscientious voting.
- “We want judicial reforms and equal rights for the provinces.”
In light of the uncertainty surrounding the controversial judicial package, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expected the constitutional amendment to be passed through Parliament by the 25th of this month.
During an interaction with reporters, the PPP chief distanced himself from the expected move, saying it might be the deadline for the current government but not for them.
Bilawal clarified his party’s position on the issue, saying, “There is no deadline from our side for the constitutional amendment.”
A day earlier, Bilawal said that the government wanted to approve the constitutional amendment before October 25, but doing so before the aforementioned date was “neither necessary nor obligatory.”
The former Foreign Minister said during his speech to a private television channel that the parliamentary legislative process gave the current government the right to amend the constitution to bring about reforms in the judiciary.
Speaking to reporters today, the PPP leader said they want to create a consensus among all political forces, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, on the issue.
Last month, the JUI-F president flatly refused to support the government’s proposal to extend the tenure of judges or increase the retirement age.
In August, the coalition government made a futile attempt to pass a “closely guarded” constitutional package amid speculation about a possible extension of the term of Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faiz Isa.
However, the government failed to put the amendments before Parliament after the JUI-F president refused to support the judicial package presented by the government.
Ostensibly, the government did not receive 13 votes in the National Assembly and nine votes in the Senate, as the aforementioned legislation requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
The PPP leader said the government has the option of securing the magic number under a “vote of conscience”.
He added: “Despite this, efforts are being made to reach a consensus.”
It is pertinent to mention here that the Supreme Court on October 4 set aside its earlier opinion on Section 63(A) – a provision dealing with defection of legislators – as a five-member bench led by CJP Isa unanimously allowed the review petition, filed by the Bar Association In the Supreme Court.
This step paved the way for the counting of dissident votes.
In response to a question, the former Foreign Minister said: “We want judicial reforms and equality of rights between the provinces.”
Replying to another question, the PPP leader said that the JUI-F president agreed to constitutional courts and judicial reforms.
“The government wanted to amend Articles 8 and 51 (of the Constitution), but the PPP and JUI-F opposed (the proposal),” he added.
Responding to another query, the PPP leader said that they gave the Imran Khan-founded party chances on every issue but the jailed leader showed lack of seriousness.
“Instead of politicians, the PTI founder still wants to hold talks with the establishment,” he added.
The PPP leader said that constitutional courts should be established in the provinces as well as these courts would provide immediate relief to the people.