ISLAMABAD – The federal government is unlikely to present the proposed constitutional amendments in the National Assembly today, as efforts to resolve the ongoing deadlock with opposition parties continue. Reports indicate that the federal cabinet meeting, scheduled for today, has been postponed, suggesting that the bill will not be introduced in parliament as planned.
A final decision on presenting the amendment package will only be made once a consensus is reached within the special committee on constitutional amendments. The deadlock between the government and the opposition persists, and the draft amendments will be presented to the National Assembly and Senate only after an agreement is secured, according to local media sources.
In light of the uncertain situation, PML-N leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, along with Hamza Shehbaz, has left Islamabad for Lahore. The bill will be tabled once a resolution is achieved in the special committee and Maulana Fazlur Rehman is satisfied with the proposed amendments.
Constitutional Amendment Package
The proposed amendment package aims to revise several key Articles, including 51, 63, 175, 181, 184, 185, 186, and 187. Notably, the package includes significant judicial reforms, such as the establishment of a Constitutional Court separate from the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The Chief Justice and four other judges of this new court would be appointed jointly by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan and the Parliamentary Committee on Law and Justice.
Other proposed changes include adjustments to the Supreme Court’s role in Presidential references, the transfer of High Court judges across provinces, and reforms to the Defection Clause. Additionally, the package proposes increasing the number of Balochistan Assembly seats from 65 to 81.
Number Game in National Assembly and Senate
In terms of parliamentary support, the ruling coalition currently holds 214 seats in the National Assembly, needing 10 more votes to reach the required 224. In the Senate, the PML-N, PPP, and their allies have 54 seats but need 64 for a majority.
Despite Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman potentially committing his 13 members in both houses, the government is still short by seven votes. The ongoing number game and political manoeuvring will be crucial in determining the success of the amendment package.