A consensus was reached on the constitutional amendment between the PPP, the JUI-F and the PML-N, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Friday.
“This will be the last weekend you’ll have to spend on this (the constitutional package),” Bilawal told a joint parliamentary party meeting in Parliament House, Islamabad.
Before his talk, special parliamentary committee head Syed Khursheed Shah told reporters that the committee has unanimously accepted the constitutional package.
Described as the 26th constitutional amendment, the legislation aims to change the process of appointments of the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
Many legal experts are concerned that such proposed changes could undermine the independence of the judiciary by limiting the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction to only civil and criminal appeals or petitions.
But ruling parties made significant progress on Wednesday in securing the backing of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for their proposed judicial reform package.
According to sources, the draft includes amendments to Article 48 (president to act on advice, etc), further shaping the future of Pakistan’s constitutional framework. It also touches on Article 63-A (disqualification on grounds of defection, etc) following the Supreme Court’s verdict on the defection law earlier this month.
Bilawal said that it was the PPP’s effort to ensure the amendment’s passage through Parliament after achieving consensus between all political parties.
“We are going on to fulfil the promises made in the Charter of Democracy that could not be lived up to until today.”
Bilawal stated that PPP leader Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah addressed several complaints during the special parliamentary committee meeting and relayed them to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
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He expressed concern over complaints that emerged after the PPP, PML-N, and JUI-F announced their consensus, condemning allegations of harassment against opposition lawmakers.
“We hope Shah’s committee can prevent such complaints from arising in the future,” he stated.
“A consensus has been reached between the PPP, JUI-F and PML-N. God willing, we will ensure that the legislation is passed by our political strength.”
Additionally, Bilawal held a meeting with JUI-F leader Fazl at his residence in Islamabad.
