In a move aimed at building consensus ahead of significant constitutional amendments, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has appointed its chairman, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, as the party’s parliamentary leader. This decision comes as the government works to secure opposition support for the 26th constitutional amendment, primarily focused on judicial reforms.
Speaking to the media outside the Parliament House in Islamabad on Friday, PPP leader and chair of the Special Committee on the constitutional draft, Khursheed Shah, confirmed Bilawal’s nomination. PPP leader Naveed Qamar has already submitted the official documents of Bilawal’s election as the party’s parliamentary leader at the National Assembly office.
As parliamentary leader, Bilawal is now empowered to guide party members on crucial votes, including constitutional amendments, finance bills, and elections for the prime minister or speaker, in line with PPP policy.
Khursheed Shah expressed confidence in Bilawal’s leadership and stated, “God willing, the constitutional amendment will happen.” Referring to the 2007 Karsaz bombing, he added that this amendment was central to the mission of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who sacrificed her life for it.
Shah also condemned recent incidents involving the alleged harassment of parliamentarians and urged freedom for lawmakers to make independent decisions. He expressed hope that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would present its draft of the constitutional amendment soon.
The proposed amendment package includes the creation of a federal constitutional court and a fixed three-year tenure for the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP). The government had earlier attempted to table the bill, but resistance from both allies and opposition members forced a delay, prompting further consultation.
Passing the amendment requires a two-thirds majority in parliament, but the government is currently short of 13 votes in the National Assembly and nine in the Senate.