Islamabad (TDI): Even though Sunday was a public holiday, there was a great deal of political activity in Islamabad.
The government stepped up its efforts to draft a constitution and looked to its supporters for support in getting it through both chambers of parliament.
In the parliament house, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had a meeting with the chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is a key member of the ruling coalition.
They talked extensively about the suggested constitutional package.
During the meeting, Bilawal informed the delegation of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) about his discussions with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) the previous night, according to media reports.
Aligning opinions on the draft constitutional change and assessing the necessary votes in the National Assembly and Senate were the main topics of discussion during the discussions.
Maulana Fazl was ensured that his concerns would to be addressed, while his endorsement for the bill was sought.
Moreover, Bilawal presided over a PPP parliamentary party meeting.
All party members in the National Assembly and the Senate were present at the meeting, in which Bilawal provided the parliamentarians with an agenda and policy briefing.
While JUI-F spokesman Aslam Ghori said that Fazl also presided over a meeting of the party’s parliamentary group when he briefed the MPs about his talks with the opposition and the government.
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The Deputy Prime Minister Dar, along with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Law Minister Tarar, led a government group that visited Fazl and held consultations on the proposed constitutional modifications, he continued.
There was also a casual meeting in Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s chamber hosted by Dr. Farooq Sattar, the head of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).
Upon obtaining its specifics, he informed reporters that the party would make a decision regarding the constitutional amendments.
He stated that if a constitutional modification is required for the stability of the nation, it ought to be passed.
“After receiving the comprehensive content, we will decide,” he said. In response, he remarked that while the JUI-F head grasped the majority of concerns, there were some secondary disputes.
Previously, Maulana Fazl and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met late into the night. The the prime minister extended an invitation to Fazl to rejoin the administration once more, according to a private news channel.
The meeting also covered the topic of constitutional modifications in that political activity.
Fazl asked for a draft of the constitutional modifications and said he would reply after conferring with his party.
After that, Fazl met with a group from the government that included Law Minister Tarar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to talk about the planned modifications and judicial reforms.
As the day passed on, Fazl came to draw attention since it seemed that he would be needed to vote in favor of the constitutional amendments.
This idea gained support when the Senate session calendar was altered twice in the meantime.
On Sunday, the Senate planned to convene at 4 p.m. But in the afternoon, it was declared that the meeting would begin at 7 p.m. The announcement said that until the next session, the Senate offices will stay open.
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Dispelling the notion of any “person-specific” legislation, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told the media that talks on the proposed constitutional revisions were still ongoing.
To conclude “a positive and thorough consultation” over the constitutional amendments, the minister stated that work was underway.
“We’re working to advance. It will be better if these conversations result in a consensus,” he continued.
“Amendments to the Constitution and statutes may be made by Parliament. Since the people sent us to parliament and elected us with their ballots, it is our responsibility to pass laws that will serve the needs of the people,” he added.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the administration has secured the necessary number of votes in both the upper and lower houses of parliament to adopt the constitutional reform bill in an interview with a private TV channel on Sunday night.
With his reservations addressed, he also claimed the support of JUI-F chairman Maulana Fazl.
The minister stated, “Apart from Maulana Fazl and coalition parties, some other votes will be secured,” without providing further specifics.
The interview with Asif coincided with JUI-F General Secretary Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri informing reporters that the party has requested the government to postpone the bill’s passage through parliament.
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“The draft amendment bill has not yet been received by us. How to cast our votes before analyzing them? he questioned ”
Speaking to the reporters about the political activity outside of Fazl’s house, Haideri emphasized that the opposition parties ought to study the amendment bill as well, adding that they had requested “some time” to consider their options.
“We discussed this with our friends of the PTI, and we’ve talked to the government,” he added.
