Pakistan’s Senate approved on Sunday the 26th Constitution Amendment Bill 2024, despite a boycott by the main opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The amendments were passed with 65 members voting in favor and four opposing it, securing a two-thirds majority.
PTI attended the Senate session but abstained from voting, while the remaining Senate members approved all 22 clauses of the bill. Subsequently, the session was adjourned until Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.
The National Assembly session, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, has begun. Federal Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar is set to present the bill, with voting expected to start shortly
Pakistan\u2019s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad on October 20, 2024.
PID
Proposed draft get cabinet's nod
Earlier, the proposed draft of the amendments was also approved by the federal cabinet. Speaking to the media outside the Parliament House, Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Azam Nazeer Tarar, announced that the federal cabinet has approved the 26th constitutional amendment draft, which was proposed by the parliamentary committee.
"The amendment consists of 26 points and represents a consensus, with five amendments proposed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F)," Tarar said.
The Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar added that the amendments mark an important step towards ensuring swift justice.
Positive Sunday meeting
Addressing a press conference along with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan expressed concerns over the constitutional amendments.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman had a final meeting with the leaders of the PTI, while the political committee of PTI had announced to boycott the voting in both houses on the constitutional amendment.
“We have carefully reviewed the draft under the guidance of our party’s founder. PTI has taken a principled stance on the issue and has decided not to support the proposed amendments,” Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said.
However, Gohar said that the party relations with JUI-F and its leader Fazlur Rehman will remain “positive.”
“There is no ill will between us, and our communication will continue in the future,” he added.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, on the occasion, acknowledged PTI’s concerns about the amendments and their right to withhold their vote. He referred to past political agreements, saying, “We have seen similar collaboration between the government and opposition during the 18th amendment.”
How negotiations on the draft played out
Over the past 10 days, 26 consultation meetings have been held involving the government, opposition, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman regarding the proposed 26th constitutional amendment.
Following two months of discussions, JUI-F has drafted a 27-point proposal for the amendment, which has reportedly garnered broad support in Parliament.
The final round of consultations between the JUI-F chief and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is scheduled for today.
Government draft rejected
During his visit to Karachi, Maulana Fazlur Rehman met with the chairman and leaders of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
Another crucial meeting took place in Lahore with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) President Nawaz Sharif, attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
In both meetings, Maulana Fazlur Rehman rejected the government's proposed constitutional amendments.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman in a meeting with a government delegation on the night of September 15, 2024.Nukta
The PPP and other opposition parties supported his alternative bill, compelling the government to withdraw its initial draft. Critics had deemed the original proposal too broad in its changes to the judiciary and fiscally burdensome due to the creation of new government entities.
The federal government reportedly acquiesced to the JUI-F chief's demands due to his party's crucial 13 votes in the National Assembly and Senate, which the ruling coalition needs to secure a two-thirds majority.
Consultations begin
A series of consultative meetings began in Islamabad on October 17, centering around the residence of Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
The Chairman, Secretary, and other leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf held several meetings with Maulana Fazlur Rehman. During this time, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also held continuous and lengthy meetings with the Maulana.
Ruling bloc and PTI split on reaching consensus for constitutional amendments.Nukta
On October 18, Bilawal's commitment to these discussions was evident. He met with Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the evening, traveled hundreds of kilometers to address a rally in Hyderabad, and returned late at night for another meeting at the Maulana's residence.
Throughout this period, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi persistently sought to persuade the JUI-F chief regarding the government's proposed constitutional amendment.
Similarly, key Pakistan Muslim League-N figures, including Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Law Minister Nazir Tarar, made concerted efforts to win the Maulana's support.
Despite these attempts, Maulana Fazlur Rehman ultimately rejected the government's proposed bill.
Consequently, meetings of the Federal Cabinet, Senate, and National Assembly faced repeated delays as JUI-F's final response was awaited.
Seeking consensus
Maulana Fazlur Rehman's residence has become a center for grievance, counseling and consultation in the last 72 hours.
Yesterday, the PTI delegation met founder chairman Imran Khan and sought a day's time for further consultation with Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in meetings with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, managed to convince him to announce the presentation of his draft in a joint press conference and take the final decision after consulting the PTI delegation.
Last night, the JUI-F chief, along with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, announced in a news conference that they had prepared their constitutional amendment draft on which PTI has asked for a one-day consultation.
A screenshot of the PPP's post on X live streaming party chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman's press briefing following an hours-long meeting over the constitutional amendments.MediaCellPPP / X
When will it happen?
While the red zone is closed for a week in Islamabad, internet service are also affected. WhatsApp uploading and downloading are suspended. Allegations of disappearance and abduction of parliamentarians persist, and in such a situation, the government wants to pass the 26th constitutional amendment.
Constitutional Showdown Unfolds! Nukta's Round-Up. After intense negotiations, Pakistan’s federal cabinet convened to approve the much-debated draft of constitutional amendments. Nukta
The federal government has prepared to approve the 26th constitutional amendment on Sunday, for which meetings of the federal cabinet, Senate, and National Assembly have been called.
The government needs the support of two-thirds of the members of the parliament to approve the constitutional amendment. The government needs 64 votes in the Senate and 224 in the National Assembly.
The ruling coalition is determined to pass this constitutional amendment even though they do not have the numbers.
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