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Updated 20 Oct, 2024 01:23am

On PTI’s request, JUI-F chief Fazl seeks one more day to vote on constitutional amendment

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has sought one more day to vote on the 26th constitutional amendment bill while reacting to the PTI’s request for until Sunday (tomorrow) to give a final reply on the draft.

“It was needed for PTI and I thought it was appropriate that they discuss it with their senior parliamentarians and party heads. They sought tomorrow’s day for me and I agreed with them,” he told reporters after PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called on him over the legislation seeking judicial reforms.

Bilawal and PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar accompanied him at the press talk.

Fazl’s residence has become the hub for political engagements and activities, with discussions ongoing about the current political situation and the proposed 26th constitutional amendment.

“I hopefully will receive their response tomorrow the schedule of Parliament sessions will be decided, so hopefully we will be able to vote during that. We are waiting until tomorrow and will inform the people about the situation.”

Fazl also spoke about his engagements with the PTI leadership and the government representatives over the bill.

“Most of the objectionable parts have been removed from the original draft,” he said and added that his party took the PTI into confidence over the legislation in more than one month’s negotiations.

PPP Chairman Bilawal thanked the JUI-F chief for the efforts the two parties made over the last two months. “As far as the content is concerned, every party has endorsed it. I believe Fazl will give a reply in positive manner at a time when all of his complaints are not present in the bill.”

He expressed hope that Fazl would accept his request that the JUI-F table the bill after his meetings end and Parliament’s session begins. “Not just the coalition partners, but opposition parties also support the vote.”

Bilawal reiterated his hope to pass the bill by political consensus.

When asked, Fazl said that his concerns related to harassment of party leaders have not been resolved.

In response to a question about why so much haste in the bill, the PPP chief said that he has been working on the legislation and engaged with other political parties.

He thanked the government for giving space and hoped that everyone would take step tomorrow (Sunday).

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