After month-long manoeuvering by the federal government to convince Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam- Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on its intended constitutional package, the government seems to have conceded to Maulana’s demands in order to seek his support in bringing the constitutional amendment. According to the parliamentary sources, it has been decided that the sessions of both houses of parliament will be summoned after the much-awaited Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. Rumours have it that the Maulana will present his draft on the constitutional amendment to the government within two to three days while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will also exchange their drafts with the JUI-F chief.

Sources said the amendments to the procedure for the appointments of judges would be proposed in the second phase while amendments regarding establishment of the constitutional court and appointments of its judges would be brought first. Earlier, a government delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met JUI-F chief Maulana Falur Rehman to secure his support for the proposed constitutional amendment.  The delegation included Khawaja Saad Rafique, Nayyar Bukhari, Naveed Qamar and Sherry Rehman while JUI-F leaders Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and Aslam Ghauri also participated in the meeting.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan