The federal government is experiencing delays in advancing crucial legislation due to uncertainty surrounding the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F)’s potential coalition support.
The JUI-F’s backing is essential for securing the required votes for a constitutional amendment, but progress remains stalled as JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has yet to make a definitive decision.
Sources indicate that the government had planned to present a constitutional amendment bill to the Senate but had to delay this move on Tuesday due to the unresolved situation with the JUI-F. The delay followed an assessment that the government would lack the necessary votes without JUI-F’s support.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is reportedly awaiting a final decision from Maulana Fazlur Rehman on an offer that includes the governorship of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four federal ministries, and a role in the Balochistan government. Initially, the JUI-F was also offered the position of deputy chairman of the Senate, but their disinterest in this role led the government to propose the governorship instead.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain are actively working to gain Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s cooperation. Despite their efforts, the JUI-F leader has yet to accept or reject the offer and is still consulting with party leaders.
In an effort to ensure the presence of government members in the Senate and secure the necessary support for the amendment, the government has also postponed a planned foreign visit by a parliamentary delegation.
