Turmoil in PTI as key lawmakers go ‘missing’ ahead of crucial vote for constitutional amendments

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) faces internal disarray as the party struggles to contact 11 key members, including two senators and nine National Assembly members, ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote on proposed constitutional amendments.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government has been pushing for constitutional changes since September, which the opposition claims would consolidate executive power in judicial appointments. The government has denied these allegations.

The proposed amendments initially called for the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), an increase in the retirement age of superior judges by three years, and changes to the process for appointing the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s PTI party has accused the government of attempting to extend the tenure of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, whom they allege is aligned with the ruling coalition. The government has rejected these accusations.

According to PTI sources, party leaders have reported being unable to contact several lawmakers despite repeated attempts. Opposition Leader Omar Ayub confirmed that at least seven members are unreachable, while PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan acknowledged difficulties in reaching two senators.

Among those missing are Zain Qureshi, Zahoor Qureshi, and Brigadier (retired) Aslam Ghuman. Other members reportedly out of contact include Usman Ali, Riaz Fatyana, Muhammad Miqdad Ali Khan, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, and Mubarak Zeb Khan.

'Matter will be settled today'

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told reporters that preparations for the constitutional amendments were complete, adding, “This matter will be settled today. We have multiple paths forward, and we will use one of them to secure approval for the amendments.”

He noted that while the government aims for unanimous approval, they have “option B and option C” ready if necessary.

Earlier in the day, Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said a revised draft of the constitutional amendments would be presented to the federal cabinet for approval later in the day.

The minister emphasized that the draft had been refined after extensive discussions and consultations with political parties and legal representatives. He mentioned meetings involving key stakeholders, including Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

The draft will be presented to both houses of Parliament for a vote once the federal cabinet gives its approval, with a decision expected later in the day.

What's in the draft

A source involved in the meetings told Nukta that military trials for civilians attacking significant military installations, military property within cantonment areas, and harassing military personnel at check-posts included in an earlier draft were taken out.

These could have had a bearing on cases related to the May 9, 2023 riots, which also involve the founder of the PTI, Imran Khan.