The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has officially refuted claims of a breakthrough with the federal government regarding proposed constitutional amendments. JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri emphasized that it is the government’s duty to pass these amendments by October 25, asserting that JUI-F is not responsible for this timeline. He revealed that the draft for 90% of the proposed amendments has been completed and will be shared with both the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Ghauri firmly stated that JUI-F does not support the establishment of a constitutional court that would have authority over the Supreme Court. He reiterated the party’s stance that any amendments should enjoy broad consensus among political parties. If a consensus on the formation of a constitutional court proves elusive, he proposed the alternative of creating a dedicated bench within the Supreme Court, composed of 4-5 judges under the Chief Justice. Ghauri stressed that constitutional amendments should prioritize the welfare of Pakistan’s 250 million citizens rather than serve the interests of individuals or specific political entities.
Additionally, he expressed concerns regarding the draft received from the PPP, indicating that it did not align with JUI-F’s expectations, which could be a matter of concern for PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Earlier reports had suggested that an agreement had been reached between the government and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on the proposed 26th constitutional amendment, particularly regarding the establishment of a constitutional court. Sources indicate that the amendment will be tabled in parliament after the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, set for October 15 and 16 in Islamabad. The proposed amendment was extensively discussed during a meeting at the Presidency, attended by key political figures, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Reports suggest that the government has ultimately accepted the recommendations made by Fazlur Rehman concerning the amendment.
