PML-N, PPP, JUI-F forge consensus on constitutional tweaks in Jati Umra meeting

• Political heavyweights meet at Nawaz's residence.
• Parties hopeful of amendments' passing.
• Fazl says will meet PTI leadership in Islamabad.
  

LAHORE: Political heavyweights — the Sharif brothers, President Asif Ali Zardari, and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman — reached a consensus on judicial reforms during a late-night meeting at the Sharif family's Jati Umra residence in Lahore on Wednesday.

President Zardari and Maulana Fazl visited PML-N President Nawaz Sharif’s residence to attend a dinner hosted in honour of the political leaders.

Among the key attendees of the important meeting were Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, and JUI-F’s Maulana Asad Mahmood.

Following the late-night consultations on the constitutional package, Fazl, Bilawal, and Dar addressed the media.

Maulana Fazl announced that consensus had been reached on judicial reforms, with further consultations to be held on additional proposals.

He added that he would meet with PTI leadership after returning to Islamabad, and their input would be incorporated into the constitutional amendment.

Fazl reiterated his party’s previous rejection of the initial amendment, emphasising that this stance remains unchanged.

He stressed the importance of resolving major issues through comprehensive discussions. "If we engage in detailed dialogue on key matters, both the country and the Constitution will be safeguarded," he said.

Bilawal thanked Maulana Fazl for his role, noting that while the PPP and JUI-F had already agreed, three political parties had now reached a broader consensus. "We seek the supremacy of the Constitution through constitutional courts and demand swift justice," he added.

The PPP leader further stated: "At the right time, we will ensure the proposed amendments are passed by both Houses of Parliament."

Dar also confirmed that the three parties had agreed on judicial reforms, with consensus expected on other proposed amendments in the coming days.

A day earlier, the PPP and JUI-F had finalised a draft for the proposed 26th constitutional amendment.

Maulana Fazl, during a joint press conference with Bilawal, announced that the consensus followed extensive deliberations between the two parties. He praised Bilawal for playing a pivotal role in bringing the parties together on this issue.

The constitutional package aims, among other things, to establish a federal constitutional court and set a three-year tenure for the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP).

Last month, the coalition government’s attempt to pass a ‘closely-guarded’ constitutional package floundered amid speculation about a potential extension of CJP Qazi Faez Isa’s tenure.

However, the government could not table the amendments in parliament after Maulana Fazl refused to back the judicial package, leaving the contentious amendments unresolved.

To pass the constitutional amendments, the government requires a two-thirds majority in parliament, with sources indicating a shortfall of 13 votes in the National Assembly and nine in the Senate.

NA, Senate sessions summoned today

The federal government has summoned separate sessions of the National Assembly and the Senate on October 17 (today) — the very next day of the Shangai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit as the ruling coalition stepped up its efforts to introduce a much touted constitutional package in parliament.

President Asif Ali Zardari summoned the session of National Assembly on October 17 (Thursday) at 4pm, while that of Senate on October 17 (Thursday) at 3pm, the President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release on Wednesday.

The coalition government has left no stone unturned to evolve consensus on its controversial 'constitutional package' with all political parties regularly holding meetings of the special parliamentary committee — a body led by PPP MNA Syed Khursheed Shah — to debate the proposed 26th constitutional amendment.