ISLAMABAD – National Assembly session scheduled to table controversial amendments was delayed until just before midnight, only to be adjourned and rescheduled for Monday noon.
The session was initially slated to be held on Saturday but was delayed multiple times due to ongoing top level meetings of government and opposition members.
This session was of particular interest due to its focus on a proposed package aimed at limiting the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s (CJP) tenure to three years, among other significant reforms.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had several talks with his brother Nawaz Sharif and other members while government and PTI delegations separately called on JUI-F’s Fazlur Rehman.
PM’s back to back meetings with alliance shows strategic importance of securing support for the bill. PTI also dispatched a delegation led by Barrister Gohar Ali Khan to meet with Rehman, aiming to influence his stance on the proposed amendments.
JUI-F’s Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri criticized the government for rushing the bill without providing a draft for review, calling for more time to examine the proposed changes.
Despite the session delays, PML-N’s Tariq Fazal Chaudhary insisted that the session would proceed before midnight, although the exact agenda remained unclear.
PTI Chairman lamented government strategy to adopt unconstitutional process and keeping the proposed legislation shrouded in secrecy. He warned against undermining judicial independence and accused the government of manipulating the political system.
The delay in presenting the constitutional package was reportedly due to strategic reasons related to securing a two-thirds majority in the Senate. Despite speculation about the package’s contents, the government maintained that it was focused on comprehensive judicial reforms.
Opposition parties opted to send selected members to sessions to prevent undue pressure and ensure accurate voting. As negotiations continued, JUI-F leader Fazlur Rehman remained a key figure in the unfolding parliamentary drama.
