PPP and PML-N 'step back' from constitutional court proposal

What could be termed a big development in the ongoing efforts to get the 26^th constitutional amendments passed, following the PPP, the PML-N and other parties, which are part of the present coalition government, too on Thursday threw their weight behind the proposal to form constitutional benches as laid down in the JUI-F’s draft, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Sources told 24News TV channel that all coalition parties had now backed down on their insistence on setting up constitutional courts in the country.

The idea to set up constitutional courts had now been dropped, they said, adding that the JUI-F and the coalition parties had now prepared a single draft on constitutional benches.

Sources went on to say that the JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman would hold consultations with the PTI leadership over the new draft today in the evening.

Agreement on single draft in day or two, says Khursheed Shah

On the other hand, Syed Khursheed Shah, senior PPP leader and Special Parliamentary Committee convener, expressed the hope that the parties would reach a consensus on the amendments in a day or two.

Earlier, the committee, at its meeting, discussed the drafts presented by different political parties.

The PTI did not present its draft even today.

Later, the committee’s meeting was adjourned until tomorrow.   

JUI-F, PTI leaders to meet today in the evening

JUI-F leaders, led by the party chief Maulana Fazl, will meet with the PTI leaders at 5:00 in the evening today to take them into confidence on the draft agreed between the JUI-F and the parties, part of the coalition government.

PTI invites BNP-Mengal to talks

As the JUI-F and the parties, part of the coalition government, reached a consensus on setting up constitutional benches, and not constitutional courts, the PTI on Thursday reached out to the Balochistan National Party (BNP) Mengal and invited it to join the party leaders’ today’s consultations with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on the proposed constitutional amendments.

Talking to BNP-Mengal Acting President Sajid Tarin, PTI stalwart Asad Qaiser said that the government was using all tactics to force the opposition lawmakers to vote for these amendments. “But we still cling to the same stance.”

PTI has been voicing its opposition to these amendments, saying these amounted to relegating the Supreme Court (SC) to a sessions court by taking away most of its powers.

The party also questions the timing at which these amendments are planned to be introduced, saying the ruling coalition, through these amendments, wants to hush up the massive rigging done in the February 8 general elections.

Reporter: Usman Khan