On Sunday, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq adjourned the session on a contentious constitutional amendment until 12:30 PM Monday. The session, delayed for hours due to negotiations between treasury and opposition lawmakers with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, began late at night. The assembly’s brief session opened with prayers, followed by PML-N lawmaker Bilal Azhar Kayani’s motion to suspend certain proceedings. This motion was approved by a majority vote.
Similarly, the Senate session was postponed until 11:30 AM Monday.
Government Secures Support for Amendment
Sources reported that the government has finalized the votes needed for the constitutional amendment, leading to the cancellation of a planned meeting between PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman. Due to ongoing delays in parliamentary committees and sessions, the government aimed to pass the amendment bill on Sunday.
The National Assembly is expected to reconvene shortly, with the government claiming to have addressed JUI-F’s concerns and secured Fazl’s support. Recent days have seen PM Shehbaz meet Fazl twice, while President Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have also sought his backing. A PTI delegation also engaged with Fazl last night.
Concerns Addressed and Draft Prepared
The government has resolved JUI-F leader Fazlur Rehman’s concerns, with PPP’s Bilawal Bhutto Zardari mediating between the parties. A revised draft was presented to the JUI-F parliamentary party, although it remained uncertain if Fazl would endorse the judicial reforms. The proposed amendment includes establishing a constitutional court and formulating procedures for appointing judges, aiming to offer relief to petitioners.
Sources indicated that the government has secured the necessary votes in both the National Assembly and Senate, with amendments being made to address dissident members’ votes. A draft for amending Article 63-A (Disqualification on grounds of defection) has been prepared. PML-N leader Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has confirmed that the government possesses the required votes for the amendment.
BNP-M’s Stance and Nawaz Sharif’s Return
The Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) has made its support contingent on addressing the issue of missing persons. BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal has requested the amendment draft from the premier before committing votes. Mengal confirmed this stance in social media posts responding to journalist Hamid Mir’s claims.
PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has returned to Pakistan and will participate in the National Assembly session. PM Shehbaz welcomed him and briefed him on negotiations with Fazl and other parties, with Hamza Shehbaz also present.
Delays and Adjustments to Meetings
The process of finalizing the constitutional package led to multiple delays in the federal cabinet meeting and parliamentary sessions. The cabinet meeting, initially scheduled for 3 PM, was delayed further. The National Assembly session, originally set for 11 AM, has been rescheduled multiple times and is now expected to take place at 10 PM.
The Senate meeting’s timing has also shifted, with the latest expectation placing it between 3 AM and 4 AM. The Senate agenda includes motions unrelated to the constitutional amendments, raising questions about the government’s strategy.
Voting Dynamics
To pass the amendments, the government needs a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly (224 votes) and a majority in the Senate (64 votes). Currently, the government holds 211 seats in the National Assembly and 54 in the Senate. The support base includes 110 members from PML-N, 68 from PPP, 22 from MQM, and smaller groups from ANP and PML-Q. The opposition holds 101 seats, including those from Sunni Ittehad Council, independent members supported by PTI, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, and other parties.
The government needs additional support to reach the required majority. Even with JUI-F’s 8 members, the government would need 5 more votes to secure the amendment.
