The federal government has concluded its preparations for constitutional amendments, scheduling a joint session of parliament for October 18. Sources confirm that Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman has conditionally accepted the proposed amendments, with suggestions that could influence the final draft.
According to reports, the government has laid the groundwork for the constitutional amendments, with the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs finalizing the summary for the joint parliamentary session. The sessions of both the National Assembly and Senate will be convened separately to introduce these crucial amendments. The amendments are expected to be presented in both houses, reflecting a significant phase in the legislative process.
Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), has conditionally approved the proposed changes. He has recommended forming a five or six-member constitutional bench to address the amendments, instead of involving the full Constitutional Court. This suggestion could be incorporated into the final draft as the government considers various inputs to ensure broader support.
The JUI-F has reportedly completed 80% of its draft proposals for the amendments, indicating an advanced stage of internal consultations. These developments suggest a collaborative approach, as the government seeks to build consensus among key political allies.
In addition to engaging with the JUI-F, the government is also in discussions with Sardar Akhtar Mengal, head of the Balochistan National Party (BNP). It is anticipated that the BNP, represented by two senators, will back the government’s initiatives in the Senate, further strengthening the coalition’s position.
These efforts underscore the government’s intent to secure broad political support for the constitutional amendments, with crucial allies like the JUI-F and BNP playing influential roles in the process.
