Federal Cabinet discusses constitutional changes

The Federal Cabinet will consider the much-hyped draft of the 26th Constitutional Amendment in its meeting today (Saturday) after the proposed changes were finally approved by the government and the opposition.

The two sides “unanimously approved” the proposed constitutional changes after months of deliberations with political twists and turns during the meeting of the special committee formed to discuss the constitutional package.

The announcement came after the special committee formed to debate the controversial legislative package met under the chairmanship of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Syed Khursheed Shah.

Leaders of all major political parties except Aimal Wali Khan of the Awami National Party were present at the meeting.

The draft provides for the formation of a constitutional bench, the parliamentary role in the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from a list of three judges, the restructuring of the Judicial Council and the Supreme Judicial Council, and the determination of the three-year term of office of the Chief Justice.

If the Cabinet approves the draft proposed changes, it will be sent to the Senate for approval.

Parliament’s upper house is scheduled to meet at 12:30 p.m., with the government poised to introduce the constitutional changes.

According to Shah, everyone, including the main opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), agreed point by point to the draft submitted, although no one had signed it yet.

However, the party founded by Imran Khan dispelled the impression that it had unanimously approved the draft.

PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said on Friday evening that consultation on the fourth draft submitted by the government was ongoing, adding that it came after a meeting with its party founder, who is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail , a final decision on the constitutional package would take several cases.

Responding to the PTI’s reservations, PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari warned that if the opposition parties refused to support his efforts to pass the amendments amicably, he would be forced to take a “controversial path” in passing the amendments to support the legislative package.

“If the opposition still refuses to support us despite so many compromises, I will be forced to pass the amendment with the support of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and additional members,” the PPP chief said.

Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) said those in power cannot force the party’s MPs to vote for the amendment.

“If the government continues to use coercive measures, we will never support the constitutional amendment even if our bodies are torn into pieces,” Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said during debate on the proposed amendments in the National Assembly.

In order to pass the constitutional changes, the government needs a two-thirds majority in parliament. According to sources, she was 13 votes short in the National Assembly (NA) and nine votes short in the Senate.

Last month the coalition government made an unsuccessful attempt to pass the constitutional package. However, the government failed to even table the amendments in Parliament after the JUI-F chief refused to support the government’s justice package, leaving the controversial amendments in limbo.

The PPP leader said last week that the government had the opportunity to secure the magic number through a “conscience vote.”

“Nevertheless, attempts are being made to reach a consensus,” Bilawal had added.

It is pertinent to mention here that on October 4, the Supreme Court set aside its earlier opinion on Article 63(A) – a clause dealing with resignation of legislators – when a five-member bench headed by CJP Isa unanimously approved a review request. filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association.

The move paved the way for renegade votes to be counted.