The introduction of constitutional amendments package in both houses of the Parliament was deferred “indefinitely” after the government failed to muster enough support. Accordingly, the Senate session which was scheduled to start at 12:30 pm on Monday was adjourned sine die. Talking to the media men in Islamabad, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui confirmed that the tabling of the constitutional package has been postponed indefinitely. “It may take eight to 10 days to present the constitutional package in the parliament,” he added. Speaking outside the Parliament House, Irfan Siddiqui insisted that it was not government’s failure. “There is no obstacle to the constitutional amendments, but the exact timing has not been decided yet,” he added. Senator Siddiqui mentioned that the law requires a specific majority for constitutional amendments, and if this majority is not achieved, it is not a cause for concern, adding after consultations, including with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, it was agreed to wait for a few more days before proceeding with the amendments package.

He praised Maulana Fazlur Rehman's positive response, stating there was no disagreement on any matter, and discussions took place in a constructive environment. “This dialogue will continue to move forward,” he added. In response to a query regarding the opposition's claim of not receiving the draft of the amendments, he clarified that constitutional drafts are never made public, rather these are presented in the Parliament. Earlier, the federal government was set to make another attempt today to pass its proposed 22 constitutional amendments package in the Senate and National Assembly (NA). After a series of meetings in Islamabad centred around JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman last night, the National Assembly session was delayed and finally convened just before midnight. However, it was immediately adjourned until 12:30 PM on Monday. Contrary to what was expected, the passage of any bill is not on the agenda of the National Assembly (NA) session to be held later today.

It has been learnt that today Atai Shehriyat Amendment Bill will be tabled in the assembly. Similarly, a debate on President Asif Ali Zardari’s address to a joint session of the parliament is also included in the agenda. Mian Nawaz Sharif, the ruling Nawaz League's President and elder brother of the sitting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has returned to Lahore from Islamabad, where he was staying, to attend the National Assembly's crucial session. Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has emphasised the ongoing efforts to reach a consensus on the constitutional amendments, noting that Maulana Sahib has agreed on many points. Bilawal expressed the desire for this amendment to be as unanimous as the eighteenth amendment, highlighting the need for broad majority support. He mentioned that Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari insists on a complete consensus for the amendment. However, recent tensions arose when the leader of a political party criticised the army chief and the judiciary, casting a shadow over the efforts to unify the amendment.

In response to the amendment process, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) senior leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari stated that a minimum of one month is required to review the draft thoroughly. When questioned by a journalist about the impending retirement of Qazi Faiz Isa, Haidari replied, "Judges keep coming and going; it doesn’t matter." Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub said the government does not have the number to get the constitutional amendments passed from the parliament. Talking to the media men, he said “They cannot get passed these amendments by putting a gun to our temple. We are on the right path and they are not.” Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former finance minister Miftah Ismael held a meeting with JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence in Islamabad late Monday night. Balochistan Chief Minister Safaraz Bugti and Senator Anwaarul Haq were also present in the meeting which laid focus on constitutional amendment and the political situation prevailing in the country.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan