JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has warned the government against ending the consultation process on the constitutional amendments if the “coercive measures” continue following reports that some opposition lawmakers were under extreme duress to vote for the legislation.

“We have reports as our reconciliation process is not taken seriously. On one side, talks are under way and on the other hand our parliamentarians are harassed and abducted,” he told reporters in Islamabad after a meeting with a PTI delegation.

PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, and Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Hamid Raza were standing alongside Fazl.

Earlier in the day, a BNP-M women senator also shared her grievances on the floor of the House. She claimed that she was being pressured to vote for the constitutional amendment.

The JUI-F chief has been at the centre of Pakistan’s politics over the past few months after the government attempted to present the legislation on the weekend.

“One of JUI-F lawmakers is abducted and his children are at my home, another has been threatened, and another was offered money. If this thing continues and the government uses such tactics, then we will be compelled to stop the process of talks,” he said.

The religio-political party leader of his party has never accepted such kind of coercive attempts. “Talk to us respectfully and we will respond in the same way. This is politics.”

Fazl said: “You cannot make fun of our seriousness. This won’t work. I tell them that we want all of this changed by tomorrow (Friday) morning and if not we can announce more tough decisions.”

Fazl seeks more representation in special committee

While speaking about his meeting with the PTI, the JUI-F chief said that his party’s delegation informed Imran Khan’s party about the developments related to the discussions.

He added that the PTI’s attitude has been positive and some points are under consideration.

“I want to say to the government, PPP, and PML-N that the special committee on constitutional amendment should have more representation. It should have people from the bar council, and Supreme Court Bar Association representatives, or there should be a separate mechanism. We cannot ignore them and should have an open debate on the draft.”

Who is behind the constitutional amendment?

When asked who was behind the constitutional amendment, Fazl said: “This is such a big amendment that a big man is behind this.”

Then he faced the PTI leaders to ask what the name of the “big man” was. To this, PTI Chairman Gohar could be heard murmuring Qazi Faez. But then everyone laughed after a reporter said something.

Later, Fazl said: “Let me tell you who is behind this. Mohsin Naqvi can be behind him.”

Draft will be shared with Imran Khan

PTI Chairman Gohar said that the draft after consensus would be shared with party founder Imran Khan.

“Right from the first day, we had committed to Fazl that we will proceed under your leadership and will move forward with your draft,” he said.

Gohar added that he had brought to the committee’s notice that the PTI MNAs were allegedly picked and being harassed. He stated that a similar issue was raised during a meeting with Fazl.

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“Tomorrow we have another meeting and hopefully it will be finished.”

Fazl went on to add that the JUI-F has sent notices to its party lawmakers to vote as per the party’s decision under Article 63A of the Constitution. Gohar said the PTI has also done the same thing.

“If coercion was needed then what was the need for discussion? If the controversial amendment is passed, will it be democracy? Then we will say that this ‘named Parliament’ has no right to bring such an amendment.”