Pakistan's govt to push major 'constitutional package' in key parliamentary sessions tomorrow

The federal government is set to push forward with the 26th constitutional amendment, which includes key judicial reforms, as separate meetings of the National Assembly, Senate, and federal cabinet are scheduled for tomorrow, October 17.

Following the conclusion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting, the government has called these urgent sessions to move forward with the proposed amendments.

According to a statement from the President's House, President Asif Ali Zardari has convened both legislative bodies tomorrow, October 17. The National Assembly will meet at 4:00 p.m, while the Senate session is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also summoned a federal cabinet meeting for the same day. Sources indicate that the proposed constitutional amendment bill will first receive cabinet approval before being presented to the National Assembly and Senate for final approval.

The government is confident that it has the required majority in parliament to pass the constitutional reforms. However, the opposition has expressed strong reservations and is preparing to oppose the amendments.

Sources reveal that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members have been directed not to attend any of the sessions. Should the amendments proceed, the PTI is expected to respond by submitting a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, or Senate leadership.

In addition, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman is scheduled to meet Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif in Lahore today, with Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also in attendance. The leaders will discuss their strategy for the passage of the constitutional amendments

PML-N parliamentary party meeting in Senate tomorrow

In preparation for the upcoming discussions on the 26th constitutional amendment, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Parliamentary Party in the Senate, has also scheduled a crucial meeting for tomorrow.

The meeting is set to take place at 2:30 p.m., ahead of the Senate session where the proposed amendments will be debated.

Senator Siddiqui has urged all PML-N Senators to be present in Islamabad by the evening of October 16 to ensure full attendance for the session. The timing of this meeting aligns with the federal government’s efforts to secure support for the constitutional amendment bill, which includes key judicial reforms.

This meeting underscores the PML-N's coordination strategy as the government prepares to push the amendments through both houses of Parliament. The PML-N will play a pivotal role in ensuring the bill’s passage, with all party members expected to participate actively in the discussions.

Later in the day, the special committee adjourned its meeting until 11:30 a.m. tomorrow, following a request from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Syed Khursheed Shah, chair of the committee, announced that the draft proposals from four parties were combined during today’s session, including drafts submitted by the Balochistan National Party (BNP) and the Balochistan Awami Party.

The meeting, held at the Parliament House in Islamabad, saw low attendance, with only 12 out of the 39 committee members present. Notably, PTI did not participate in the session.

The committee reviewed the proposed 26th Constitutional Amendment. After the meeting, Syed Khursheed Shah informed the media that the drafts from four political parties had been consolidated. He added that PTI’s Chief Whip, Aamir Dogar, had requested the meeting be adjourned until tomorrow, which the committee accepted.

Senator Sherry Rehman highlighted PTI’s absence from today’s meeting, noting that the party also did not submit its draft. She explained that some members were unable to attend due to road closures caused by security measures. The committee will reconvene tomorrow to continue consultations, and she expressed optimism that the draft discussions would be finalized soon.

According to committee sources, the government plans to introduce the 26th Constitutional Amendment in the Senate first. The amendment is expected to be presented in the Senate tomorrow and will then move to the National Assembly for approval.

Government confident of securing necessary votes

Meanwhile, government officials are confident that they have secured the necessary votes in the National Assembly.

The government needs 224 votes to pass the amendment. Its coalition currently holds 215 seats, and it is counting on the support of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and independent members. With JUI-F’s eight votes, the government’s total rises to 223. Additionally, the coalition claims the backing of four independent members.

The coalition breakdown in the National Assembly is as follows:

• Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N): 111 votes
• Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP): 70 votes
• Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P): 22 votes
• Pakistan Muslim League (Q): 5 votes
• Isthakam Pakistan Party: 4 votes

Other notable figures include one member each from the National Party, Muslim League Zia, and Balochistan Awami Party. PTI has the support of 8 independent members, and the Sunni Ittehad Council has 80 members. BNP Mengal, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party each have one member.

The previous attempt

On Sept. 15, the government tried to scrape together votes for a bill that is part of a broader package of judicial reforms that the government deems critical ahead of the retirement of incumbent chief justice. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and the current government dispensation are considered to be on good terms; he is set to retire this month.

Despite lengthy meetings with a key opposition party ally, the JUI-F, the government was unable to present the long-awaited constitutional bill in parliament. For the next two days, the government scheduled cabinet meetings, parliamentary sessions and parliamentary meetings, only to be disappointed.

It was after the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's leaders - including former speaker Asad Qaiser and parliamentary leader Omar Ayub - met with JUI-F leaders, praying together for sunset prayers, that appeared to be the final nail in the coffin.

Since then, Fazl has many times spoken against the reforms and said he would not support them. The PTI has also vehemently protested against them, terming the reforms an 'attack on judicial independence'.

Closer to consensus?

On Oct. 12, stakeholders moved closer to a consensus during the sixth in-camera session of the special parliamentary committee at Parliament House.

The crucial meeting brought together key political figures, including representatives from the government, opposition, and legal experts. During the session, JUI-F submitted a 24-point constitutional amendment draft.

The draft, developed under the guidance of party chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, proposed that constitutional matters be overseen by a Supreme Court bench made up of the most senior judges, rather than creating a separate constitutional court.