Constitutional amendments package deferred ‘indefinitely’

The introduction of constitutional amendments package in either of the houses of the Parliament was deferred “indefinitely” after the government failed to muster enough support, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Accordingly, the Senate session which was scheduled to start at 12:30 pm on Monday was adjourned sine die. The National Assembly session, however, began at 1:00 pm, still half an hour behind its scheduled time. 

Confirming to the House about the delay in the introduction of the constitutional amendments package, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said there was no politics involved in the legislation process and it was only to correct the imbalances in the constitution. 

Putting up a stout defence in support of government’s move, Kh Asif assured the House that once complete consensus is evolved on the draft it will certainly be brought to the Parliament.

The defence minister clarified that a draft does not take its final shape until it is approved by the cabinet, stressing the effort is aimed at bringing the constitution in line with the Charter of Democracy (COD) by achieving consensus on it. 

He questioned which proposals in the document serve only the interests of the ruling coalition while highlighting that this step aims to reverse the 19th Amendment. The intent is not to strengthen a single party but to fortify the institution itself, he added.

Regarding the suggestion about the constitutional court, Kh Asif mentioned that it is also a part of the Charter of Democracy (COD). He noted that the concept of a constitutional court is not unique to Pakistan and it exists in many countries, remaining under the judiciary's purview. He also remarked that the judiciary's appointment process was decided after the lawyers' movement.

Khawaja Asif pointed out that 2.7 million cases are pending in courts, with some citizens being released after 25 years due to appeals being pending for 10 years.

Kh Asif also stated that the role of the parliament should not be that of a mere rubber stamp.

Khawaja Asif stressed that the Constitution gave the lawmakers the “right” to introduce laws to ensure that the “institution that represents 250 million people remains empowered and robust as defined by the Constitution”. He said the “basis” of the legislation was the Charter of Democracy (CoD) signed in 2006 by late PPP leader Benazir Bhutto, highlighting that PTI was also a part of it.

 Azam Tarar asks PTI to have a fresh look at amends

Asserting that parliament was the supreme institution in the country and the lawmaking was its job, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said on Monday that it was this institution, which had to determine how the country would be governed.

Speaking in the National Assembly, he stressed the need for strengthening the parliament. 

Referring to the much-talked-about constitutional amendments, he said since these had been put forward by the government; therefore, the coalition partners were to be taken into confidence first. 

The minister asked the PTI to get rid of its prejudices and have a fresh look at these amendments.

He informed that presently the Supreme Court (SC) was seized with the hearing of over 61,000 cases.

He called for the formation of the judicial commission in the light of the 18^th Amendment.

The minister asked the opposition parties to give constructive proposals, and the committee would look into them.

He was of the view that the reason why PTI leaders kept repeating Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s name was that they had a phobia.  

“Let me remind you; no reference was filed when last time the PML-N was in power,” Tarar said.

Irfan Siddiqui insists it was not govt's failure

Earlier, talking to the media men in Islamabad, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui confirmed that the tabling of the constitutional package has been postponed indefinitely. “It may take eight to 10 days to present the constitutional package in the parliament,” he added.

Speaking outside the Parliament House, Irfan Siddiqui insisted that it was not government’s failure. “There is no obstacle to the constitutional amendments, but the exact timing has not been decided yet,” he added.

Senator Siddiqui mentioned that the law requires a specific majority for constitutional amendments, and if this majority is not achieved, it is not a cause for concern, adding after consultations, including with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, it was agreed to wait for a few more days before proceeding with the amendments package.

He praised Maulana Fazlur Rehman's positive response, stating there was no disagreement on any matter, and discussions took place in a constructive environment. “This dialogue will continue to move forward,” he added.

In response to a query regarding the opposition's claim of not receiving the draft of the amendments, he clarified that constitutional drafts are never made public, rather these are presented in the Parliament.

Talking to a TV news channel, Irfan Siddiqui said sessions of both houses today were to be “prorogued” and “would next be called when we would be prepared from all angles to introduce a constitutional amendment”.

Asked if it was possible for the matter to be delayed for months, the senator replied in negative, adding in his opinion, the legislation would be tabled within a week or two. “It was our wish that this packaged is cleared by parliament within two days,” he added.

He termed Fazl’s reasons behind his concerns as “very effective and rational”.

Asad Qaiser wants PTI to boycott parliament

PTI’s Asad Qaiser said that his party was considering boycotting the parliament sessions. “I will suggest the party to boycott the proceedings of the Parliament and the standing committees as there is no other way,” he said, adding the PTI was ready to “challenge the proposed constitutional amendments in court”.

He said it was wrong “to expect anything more from the Parliament and the only way forward was to involve the citizens in this war”. “The protest movement is starting, there is no other option,” he added.

No green signal from BNP-M

There was also no green signal from BNP-Mengal in supported of the constitutional amendments package.

BNP-M acting president Sajid Tareen contacted Sardar Akhtar Mengal who once again linked party’s vote with recovery of missing persons in Balochistan.

A BNP-M delegation held talks with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Sunday in which issue of new legislation was discussed in detail.

Constitutional amendments will bring prosperity: Farooq Sattar

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar has said that the government has already taken them into confidence on issues regarding constitutional amendments.

Speaking on the floor of National Assembly, Farooq Sattar said that entire nation waited for these amendments but we are still unaware about the final conclusion of this issue.

Farooq Sattar said that these constitutional amendments will surely bring prosperity in the country. He said that if government is claiming that it secured required numbers than amendments in constitution is right of the government.

MQM leader further said that impression is being created that that these amendments will weaken the national institutions but the situation otherwise.

He said that he still unaware about the numbers but as for as MQM is concerned its 22 numbers are almost complete.

No bill on NA session’s agenda

Earlier, the federal government was set to make another attempt today to pass its proposed 22 constitutional amendments package in the Senate and National Assembly (NA).

The 24News TV channel reported that despite a prolonged effort to secure support from allied parties, particularly the JUI-F of Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the BNP-M of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the government has yet to achieve success.

After a series of meetings in Islamabad centred around JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman last night, the National Assembly session was delayed and finally convened just before midnight. However, it was immediately adjourned until 12:30 PM on Monday.

Contrary to what was expected, the passage of any bill is not on the agenda of the National Assembly (NA) session to be held later today.

It has been learnt that today Atai Shehriyat Amendment Bill will be tabled in the assembly.

Similarly, a debate on President Asif Ali Zardari’s address to a joint session of the parliament is also included in the agenda.

--Nawaz Sharif returns to Lahore

Mian Nawaz Sharif, the ruling Nawaz League's President and elder brother of the sitting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has returned to Lahore from Islamabad, where he was staying, to attend the National Assembly's crucial session.

--Bilawal seeks consensus like 18th Constitutional Amendment

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has emphasised the ongoing efforts to reach a consensus on the constitutional amendments, noting that Maulana Sahib has agreed on many points.

Bilawal expressed the desire for this amendment to be as unanimous as the eighteenth amendment, highlighting the need for broad majority support.

He mentioned that Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari insists on a complete consensus for the amendment. However, recent tensions arose when the leader of a political party criticised the army chief and the judiciary, casting a shadow over the efforts to unify the amendment.

--JUI calls for one-month review period for amendment draft

In response to the amendment process, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) senior leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari stated that a minimum of one month is required to review the draft thoroughly.

When questioned by a journalist about the impending retirement of Qazi Faiz Isa, Haidari replied, "Judges keep coming and going; it doesn’t matter."

No amends at gunpoint: Omar Ayub

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub said the government does not have the number to get the constitutional amendments passed from the parliament.

Talking to the media men, he said “They cannot get passed these amendments by putting a gun to our temple. We are on the right path and they are not.”

Khaqan, Miftah meets Fazl

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former finance minister Miftah Ismael held a meeting with JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence in Islamabad late Monday night.

Balochistan Chief Minister Safaraz Bugti and Senator Anwaarul Haq were also present in the meeting which laid focus on constitutional amendment and the political situation prevailing in the country.

--Yesterday's Marathon:

Both the Senate and NA sessions were initially scheduled for Sunday morning but faced delays due to the absence of Maulana Fazlur Rehman at the Special Committee meeting. The government and opposition members have been engaged in important meetings as they seek to find a consensus on the amendments package.

The upcoming session is crucial as the government pushes forward with its legislative agenda amidst ongoing negotiations and political manoeuvring. Maulana Fazl arrived at the Parliament House at around 11:15 pm night to attend the special committee meeting on constitutional amendments. The meeting, chaired by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) member Khursheed Shah, besides Maulana Fazl, Bilawal Bhutto, Aleem Khan and other members are also attending the meeting. Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan briefed the committee on the proposed constitutional amendments.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi welcomed Fazl in the parliament. After reaching the parliament building, the JUI-F chief said that the nation will get good news. Today’s NA session was initially convened for 11:30 am but then changed to 4 pm on a Special Parliamentary Committee’s request made to the NA speaker. However, the session was unable to start even at the revised time as meetings between the government and political parties continued. It remains unknown at what time the session would now begin. Meanwhile, the Senate session was originally scheduled for 4 pm but was first delayed to 7 pm and then 10 pm.

The political activity on Sunday continued from morning to late into the night although there seemingly is no deadline which needs the bill rushed through the parliament.

Among the pre-session dialogues was Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with his elder sibling, Nawaz Sharif, and his son Hamza Shehbaz.

The PML-N leadership also met MQM-P leaders as well as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, but more importantly, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who again became a sought-after personality for the government as his party could hold the key in the bill sailing through the parliament.

After the government delegation visited Fazl, the PTI sent a delegation of their own to his residence, comprising of PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser and Sahibzada Hamid Raza.

--Federal Cabinet meeting issue:

Meanwhile, the federal cabinet, whose meeting was scheduled to be held at 3:00 PM today after it was first postponed in the morning, was later again postponed as it appears that the ruling coalition has so far failed to muster the support of the required number of members of the parliament (MPs) for the passage of constitutional amendments ahead of the NA and Senate sessions to be held later today, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Chairman of the Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, on Sunday, approved the nominations from both government and opposition benches for the members of the Special Committee. According to the Senate Secretariat, the nominated members include the leader of the Opposition Senator Syed Shibli Faraz, Parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Sherry Rehman, Parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-N Senator Irfan-ul-Haque Siddiqui, Parliamentary leader of PTI Senator Ali Zafar, Parliamentary leader of BAP Senator Manzoor Ahmed, Parliamentary leader of JUIP Senator Atta Ur Rehman, Parliamentary leader of ANP Senator Ajmal Wali Khan, Parliamentary leader of MQM-P Senator Syed Faisal Subzwari, Parliamentary leader of BNP Senator Muhammad Qasim, Parliamentary leader of MWMP Senator Raja Nasir Abbas, Parliamentary leader of NP Senator Jan Muhammad, Parliamentary leader of PML Senator Kamil Ali Agha, and Parliamentary leader of SIC Senator Hamid Khan.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that the government has the required numbers to get the amendments passed. In their efforts to win the support of the JUI-F, delegations of both the PML-N and the PPP, representing the government, visited Maulana Fazl’s residence in Islamabad late Saturday night. The latter presented to them his draft of amendments. And today, the government will inform Maulana of its opinion on the draft.

It has been learnt that the government's delegation had accepted most of demands of the JUI-F chief yesterday.

A PTI delegation, too, went to the JUI-F chief’s home to request him not to throw his weight behind the government. On Saturday, 24News reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had called a meeting of the federal cabinet on Sunday to approve the draft of constitutional amendments. After which it will be presented at the NA session.

--Ishaq Dar says amendments were in line:

Earlier, Leader of the House in the Senate and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had informed the Upper House that the constitutional amendments were in line with the provisions of the Charter of Democracy (COD) endorsed by all the political parties including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Senator Ishaq Dar underlined that there was a disconnect between the Leader of the Opposition’s party leadership in the Senate and the National Assembly.

 “It was the third in-camera meeting of the Special Parliamentary Committee in the Parliament which was participated by Chairman PTI, Barrister Gohar Ali and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan who was absent in the previous two meetings. There have been discussions on different agenda items,” he said.

He added that the Opposition Leader should seek details from his colleagues on the special committee meetings.

Senator Dar informed the House that the issue emerged after Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made a statement for joint efforts to restore the prestige of the Parliament and proposed a committee of all political parties on the arrest of some members of the lower house of the Parliament.

Reporters: Rozeena Ali, Usman Khan and Rao Dilshad Hussain