A special committee meeting on proposed constitutional amendments at the Parliament House, Islamabad on Sunday ended without any result.
In an informal conversation with Aaj News, Committee Chairman Syed Khursheed Shah said that there was not any draft in front of the committee related to the judicial reforms.
The committee had called for the draft to have a debate on it. To this, ministers replied that it cannot be placed before the committee until the federal cabinet approves it. “Let’s see when the cabinet approves the draft and it is presented in the committee meeting. A decision will be taken after this.”
When asked about the next meeting, Khursheed said that it had not been decided yet and it would be convened soon.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had advised the government to postpone the tabling of legislation until tomorrow (Monday).
When asked about the committee’s decisions, Fazl refused to talk about it while “talking” and left.
JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza had also expressed concerns over the way the constitutional amendment was being brought in Parliament, stressing the need for time on the legislation. “It cannot be possible in haste.”
Throughout the day, delegations from both the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the government visited Fazl at his residence, seeking his support for legislative support in the NA and Senate sessions. But Rehman has decided not to side with either party without reviewing the bill first.
JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari noted that the government was pushing for a swift resolution on the matter.
Following a series of meetings, Haideri addressed the media, stating: “How can we vote without reviewing the bill? We have requested that the bill not be presented so we can express our stance openly during the session. The government is pushing for a quick resolution, and we have asked them to postpone it so we can read the bill.”
Despite such concerns, the government claimed that it has secured enough votes to pass the bill.
After lengthy discussions, Fazl arrived at the National Assembly to participate in the meeting of the Special Committee on Rules and Procedures. The meeting included representatives such as Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Rana Tanveer, Irfan Siddiqui, Anusha Rahman, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Ijazul Haq, and Syed Naveed Qamar.
Senators Aimal Wali Khan, Sherry Rehman, Omar Ayub, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, and Sahibzada Hamid Raza were also present at the committee meeting.
Moreover, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Balochistan Chief Minister Sardar Sarfaraz Bugti, and former prime minister Anwarul Haq Kakar attended the session.
As Fazl arrived at the assembly, journalists surrounded him. In response to questions, he hinted that there would be “good news for the nation.”
When a reporter asked if he would convince the PTI, a “smile” spread across his face. Another journalist inquired why the draft was not being shared with him, questioning whether the government lacked confidence in him. Fazl, without responding, moved on.
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Upon reaching the committee room, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accompanied him and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar welcomed him at the door.
PPP MNA Khursheed Shah commenced with Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan providing a briefing to the participants.
