Deadlock persists as committee reviews amendment drafts; JUI-F suggests govt to form constitutional bench, not court; Parliamentary committee to discuss amendments on Oct 17
Government’s efforts to gain opposition’s support for the 26th Constitutional Amendment remained stalled as another meeting of political parties in parliament ended without a consensus on Saturday.
The special parliamentary committee, chaired by Syed Khurshid Shah of PPP, reviewed various draft proposals from the government, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F, and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
During the meeting, the government presented its proposed constitutional amendment draft, while JUI-F submitted a 24-point document. MQM also shared its recommendations. The proposed constitutional draft comprises 28 pages and suggests 56 amendments.
A sub-committee has been formed to review the constitutional drafts submitted by both the government and opposition parties. This sub-committee will evaluate the documents and provide its recommendations to the main parliamentary committee.
The sub-committee includes members from various political parties, such as Naveed Qamar from the PPP, Azam Nazeer Tarar from PML-N, Barrister Gohar from PTI, Farooq Sattar from MQM, and Kamran Murtaza from JUI-F.
The ruling coalition has reached consensus on proposed constitutional amendments, but JUI-F has declined to support the government on the creation of a constitutional court, opting instead to form a joint draft with the PPP. Meanwhile, PTI has decided to consult with its founder Imran Khan on the proposed amendments.
Senator Kamran Murtaza of JUI-F stated, “The only difference between the PPP and JUI-F drafts is the concept of a constitutional court versus a bench. We propose a bench instead of establishing a separate court.” He added that aside from this, there were no major objections to the PPP’s draft and expressed hope for a joint proposal soon.
In response to the government’s 56-point proposal, Murtaza presented 24 counterpoints, arguing, “There is no need for a large setup for fewer than 200 constitutional cases.”
PPP leader Raja Pervez Ashraf echoed Murtaza’s optimism, noting that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman suggested drafting a joint proposal with the PPP, which would be shared soon. “Things are moving in the right direction. Stay positive,” Ashraf remarked, adding that the October 25 deadline was unrelated to the constitutional amendment discussions.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasised that such matters move forward through dialogue. “Is there anything that cannot be resolved within constitutional limits? Solutions won’t come through criticism alone; present your suggestions too. The country is at a standstill, and decisions are being criticised,” he said.
