PTI backed clauses, not amendment, Vawda says after Senate passes constitutional tweaks

• Vawda says PTI should have voted against amendment bill.
• PTI leadership blammed for steering Imran Khan into present quandary.
• Expresses willingness to meet PTI founder "if summoned."

ISLAMABAD: Following the passage of the 26th Amendment Bill, 2024, in the upper house of parliament, Senator Faisal Vawda blasted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for its "double standards," stating that the former ruling party supported the clauses but not the constitutional amendment itself.

“As opposition, they should have voted against the amendment bill [...] It was all carried out with PTI’s understanding [and] planning,” Vawda said while speaking to journalists outside Parliament House.

He further criticised the current PTI leadership for steering party founder Imran Khan into his present quandary, stating, “Had Imran Khan listened to me back then, he would be in a much better position today, rather than being in jail.”

“The verbal abuse they endured from Khan is also part of history,” he added, expressing his willingness to meet the imprisoned former premier “if summoned.”

Meanwhile, the outspoken Senator applauded the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment as a “historic achievement” and expressed satisfaction with the substantial number of votes it garnered.

“The people of Pakistan would now witness progress, prosperity and development as a result of the amendment.”

He said that with the passage of time, another constitutional amendment would be introduced in the future for the sake of the country.

The coalition government has finally powered the disputed 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2024, through the Senate, capping the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s (CJP) tenure at three years.

The bill was tabled hours after the federal cabinet approved the draft amendments after hanging in the balance for weeks. The House voted 65-4 to approve the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill with the required two-thirds majority.

Before the Senate session, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced that his party would not vote for the proposed constitutional amendment in the parliament.

“The party will abstain from voting and present its stance while sitting in the parliament," Barrister Gohar said. He also lauded Maulana Fazl for his support in opposing the constitutional package.

“Imran Khan will always have the final say on party decisions, so we take every instructions from him,” the PTI chairman said.

He noted that the PTI founder had instructed them to have “more consultations since this legislation is so serious”.

“Given that we have no time for further consultations, and how the bill was processed and how our parliamentarians were harassed, the PTI cannot vote for this bill,” he announced.

Furthermore, he said the party has “no objections” if Fazl votes on the bill.