The ruling coalition was in talks with the JUI-F regarding constitutional amendments on Tuesday, with efforts under way to persuade Maulana Fazlur Rehman for the crucial vote ahead of the Parliament session, sources within the government said.

It is anticipated that such legislation may be approved in the upcoming sessions of the National Assembly and Senate.

The JUI-F became the centre of attention in Pakistan’s politics last week after it kept the government on its toes over the vote for a controversial constitutional amendment.

According to media reports, there was more than one draft of the proposed legislation after the JUI-F raised concerns over it. The government made several trips to Fazl’s house on Sunday while keeping sessions of both houses of Parliament delayed.

Described as the “26th Constitutional Amendment”, the intended legislation was set to propose a fixed three-year tenure for the chief justice of Pakistan. On September 18, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman rejected the proposed constitutional amendments and laid out his party’s stance on the issue.

The PPP has offered the JUI-F a joint draft for the constitutional amendments, with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari insisting on the establishment of a constitutional court through such changes. On Sunday, he said that even if consultations with Fazl do not succeed, his party would still work to secure the necessary votes.

Sessions of the two Houses are “set to be convened in the first week of October,” during which the legislation would be presented for approval.

The government would convene a National Assembly session in the first week of October to present and seek approval for the constitutional amendment, the government’s legal adviser Barrister Aqeel Malik told Dawn News last week.

According to sources, a consensus draft for constitutional amendments would be submitted for approval in Parliament following complete harmony and agreement among political parties.

The government has sought opinions on convening sessions of the NA and Senate, with the legal wing recommending meetings in early October.

It is noteworthy that government circles claim they have secured a two-thirds majority in both chambers and have instructed members travelling abroad to return by October 2.

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Why did JUI-F block constitutional amendment?

Ongoing meetings between government and opposition delegations with Fazl are taking place “consistently” to discuss the constitutional amendments.

Claims have emerged suggesting that the religiopolitical leader is facing foreign pressure to approve the legislation; however, the JUI-F has rejected such assertions.

Fazl has maintained that his party would not support any amendment that contradicts fundamental rights.

Constitutional amendment under consideration: Sanaullah

Adviser to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Tuesday that the matter of constitutional amendment was under consideration.

Constitutional amendment would be made with the consensus of the political parties, he told a private television channel.

“Legal reforms are also essential to provide speedy justice to the people,” he added.

In reply to a question about the formation of constitutional courts, he said the JUI-F leader also agreed on the establishment of constitutional courts. To another question, he said all the political parties and the parliament “are working for the rule of law in the country.”