Much-awaited 26th Amendment Bill tabled in Senate
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Despite concerns from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the federal government on Sunday tabled the much-awaited 26th Amendment Bill 2024 in the Senate after weeks of consultation with major political parties.
The development comes after the federal cabinet earlier today approved the draft of the judicial package after numerous twists and turns.
The politicos continued to hold consultations on the constitutional tweaks till late Saturday night, with uncertainty regarding the tabling of the draft due to severe opposition from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The coalition government was initially set to present the legislation yesterday but decided to defer it at the request of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman who said that his party would be able to cast its votes in favour of the 26th constitutional amendment after receiving a response from the PTI.
The former ruling party has time again expressed concerns over the prospective judiciary-oriented legislation provisioning a fixed three-year term of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), establishment of constitutional benches, restructuring of the Supreme Judicial Council, and the formation of a Special Parliamentary Committee which will suggest names from amongst the three most senior judges of the apex court for the CJP’s appointment.
PTI to not vote on constitutional amendment
Today, the parliamentary committee of PTI announced boycotting the voting process but soon backtracked as Chairman Barrister Gohar said that the party lawmakers would go to the (parliament) floor.
However, later, while speaking to journalists along with Fazl, PTI Chairman Gohar said that his party would not vote for the proposed constitutional amendment in the parliament.
“The party will abstain from voting and present its stance while sitting in the parliament,” Barrister Gohar said. He also lauded Maulana Fazl for his support in opposing the constitutional package.
He said that the PTI even today reviewed the government’s draft, noting that they take every decision on the advice of party founder Imran Khan.
For his part, the JUI-F chief said they have “defanged the black snake overall” as he referred to the draft of constitutional amendments. He noted that the bill, which they had rejected, has been tweaked.
“PTI has no objection to the content,” Fazl said, noting that they can’t force “any political party” to vote for the amendment. He added that PTI has every right to oppose after “what the party and its founder suffered”.
In response to a question, he said they have agreed on a constitutional package “but not on its details”.
‘Cabinet made excellent decision’: PM
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, after the federal cabinet’s go-ahead, hailed the decision as a major achievement for Pakistan’s development and progress.
“The cabinet has made an excellent decision for the development, prosperity and the betterment of the country’s overall situation,” said the PM while addressing the cabinet session.
He congratulated the nation on the approval the 26th Amendment, emphasising that it was made in the larger national interest.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to public welfare and the constitutional integrity of the country. “By the grace of Allah, after stabilising the economy, we have now crossed a milestone for constitutional stability and the rule of law in Pakistan,” he said.
Looking ahead, the premier assured that the government would continue working diligently for the country’s development, prosperity, and stability in line with the promises made to the people, he affirmed.
This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.
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