Talks between DPM and PPP chairman focus on parliamentary number game and upcoming constitutional amendment
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, alongside Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, convened a crucial meeting at Bilawal’s chamber in the Parliament House to address the current political climate and proposed constitutional amendments. Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar also participated in these discussions.
According to sources, the meeting involved consultations with Speaker Asad Qaiser and included senior PPP leaders such as Khursheed Shah and Naveed Qamar. The primary focus was to align views on the draft of the constitutional amendment and assess the necessary numbers required for passage in both the National Assembly and Senate. During the session, Bilawal Bhutto briefed the coalition leaders on his recent discussions with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F). It was noted that Maulana Rehman had expressed concerns over not receiving the draft of the proposed amendments, despite his general support for the initiative.
The upcoming meeting with Maulana Rehman will address these concerns and seek his endorsement for the amendments. The government delegation, including Dar and Tarar, is expected to present the constitutional amendment draft to Maulana Rehman shortly. They will be accompanied by key officials such as Mohsin Naqvi to ensure all coalition leaders are in agreement with the proposed reforms. The draft constitutional amendments aim to bring significant changes to the judiciary and constitutional institutions.
Proposed reforms include extending the tenure of Supreme Court judges and establishing a five-member constitutional court to handle constitutional matters, thereby alleviating the Supreme Court’s caseload. The amendments also propose the inclusion of a parliamentary committee in the Judicial Commission. The process for appointing the Chief Justice is yet to be decided, with future selections involving five names sent to the prime minister for final appointment. Senator Ishaq Dar reiterated the proposal for a separate constitutional court, which would be composed of judges appointed by the government.
The Chief Justice of this new court would be selected from among Supreme Court judges. In a separate but related development, a joint meeting of the PPP parliamentary party, led by Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, took place in Islamabad. The session, attended by all PPP members of the National Assembly and Senate, began with a recitation of the Holy Quran and prayers for the martyrs of democracy. Chairman Bhutto-Zardari extended his congratulations to the participants on Democracy Day and briefed them on the party’s agenda and policies.
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