The federal government of PML-N and PPP have finalized consultations with JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over the draft of proposed constitutional amendments, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Maulana Fazl is expected to meet PTI leadership today and will try to convince them on the proposed draft as JUI chief was aimed at creating consensus on the proposed amendments. Sources said that PML-N, PPP and JUI chief have agreed on most of the points of the draft.
According to sources, there is a proposal to establish a five or nine-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court to review constitutional matters.
And it has been agreed that there was no need of constitutional benches in the provinces. The Constitutional bench will be constituted by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan and the head of the constitution bench will also be appointed by the judicial commission. Moreover, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will not have the authority to change the constitutional bench.
The term of appointment of the constitutional bench will be determined by the lawmakers. And Supreme Court's power to issue suo moto notices will be slashed. The Chief Justice of Supreme Court will be appointed among the three most senior judges. It is also being recommended to change the procedure of appointment of the Chief Election Commission. If there is no agreement between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Election Commissioner will be appointed by the Parliamentary Committee. 19th Amendment proposed to be completely repealed and government will also amend Article 63A. It has also been suggested to remove the disqualification on floor crossing.
Reporter: Usman Khan