Amendments to be presented in next NA session
The government has decided to present the much-anticipated constitutional amendments during the next session of the National Assembly. Senator Irfan Siddiqui, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-N in the Senate and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, confirmed this.
After a three-hour committee meeting, Senator Siddiqui explained that a detailed briefing was provided regarding the amendments. He added that Maulana Fazlur Rehman does not fundamentally disagree with the amendments but has requested more time and assurances regarding the numbers.
Irfan said there was no issue with the number game, as the required votes are already in place. The new session will introduce the constitutional amendments once consensus is reached within the committee. Irfan also commented on the role of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in the process, stating that PTI members lack the authority to provide guarantees. This highlights the internal challenges the party faces.
He added that the government understands the constraints faced by PTI. The delay in presenting the amendments reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure consensus among political leaders before proceeding with the legislative process.
“Fazl agrees on certain amendments but needs time to study details of some provisions,” he added. Sources said that the original draft of the constitutional amendment has been changed with scores of amends on the demand of Maulana Fazlur Rehman. “The government side and JUI-F chief have agreed on minimum agenda over scores of points with the efforts made by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari,” according to sources.
“The amendments with regard to military court in Article 51 and 200 have been withdrawn on demand of the JUI-F head,” sources said. “Proposed clause with regard to increasing the judges age-limit to 68 years, has also been taken back”.
“The government and Fazlur Rehman have reached to agreement over establishment of the constitutional court,” sources said. “A retired judge of the Supreme Court will be head of the constitutional court”.
“First appointment of the head of the constitutional court will be made by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister,” sources said. “Appointment of remaining judges of the court will be made from the five high courts on the basis of eligibility,” according to sources.
Sources said that the constitutional court will comprises of five to seven judges, and it will hear the cases pertaining to constitutional matters.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the government have also agreed over amendment in Article 63-A and the floor-crossing vote will also be counted, sources said.
The sides agreed over abolition of the 19th Amendment to restore the 18th Constitutional Amendment in its original shape, according to sources.
The parties also agreed over merger of the judicial commission and the parliamentary committee for appointment of judges.
The sides also consented to abolish the election commission’s role in appointment of the caretaker prime minister. “A 12-member parliamentary committee will appoint the caretaker PM with equal members from treasury and the opposition,” sources said.
“In case of disagreement within the committee, the judicial commission will appoint the caretaker prime minister,” sources said.
The sides also agreed over appointment of the chief election commissioner by the judicial commission and abolishing entitlement of the prime minister and the opposition leader for appointment of the CEC.
