Special parliamentary committee meets to discuss draft constitutional amendment

The meeting of the special parliamentary committee formed on the proposed constitutional amendments has got underway, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.

Prior to the start of the meeting, when a journalist asked the committee Convener Syed Khursheed Shah of the PPP whether the committee would reach a consensus on the issue today, the latter replied that’s what the meeting had been called for.  

“Today the committee members will discuss the draft of the amendments,” he added.  

On the other hand, Senator Irfan Siddiqui of the ruling PML-N has said today is a big day since it is hoped that today all drafts will be coalesced together.  

Senator Sherry Rehman of the PPP said that the special committee is working round the clock so that all political parties could agree on one draft.

She has said all parties, barring the PTI, have submitted their drafts.

PTI’s Barrister Gohar hopes JUI-F will not budge from its stance

On the other hand, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has expressed the hope that the JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman will not compromise on the independence of the judiciary. “The party is in favour of judicial reforms. But for God’s sake, do not make the institution subservient to the executive.”

“We will submit our draft after meeting with former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan,” he has said, adding, “Never ever in my life have I seen such a democracy in which law-making is done in this brutal fashion.”

The way, PTI chairman has gone on to say, the government wants to get these amendments passed may even enable a minority party to form the government.

He has further said that the PTI wants the Shaukat Khanum Hospital doctors to examine Imran at Adiala Jail. “The party will protest tomorrow.”

PTI’s Omar Ayub says PTI MPs being bullied

PTI stalwart and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan has said that the party leaders are being threatened, their homes are being raided and their businesses are being destroyed only to force them to vote for these amendments.

He has said that PTI’s Zain Qureshi was picked up from her home on Wednesday. “Riaz Fatyana’s son has been missing for the last several days. Atif Khan’s home was also raided.”

Even, he has added, JUI-F and Akhtar Mengal’s men are receiving threatening calls.