Govt, PTI approach Fazl for support on constitutional amendments

Ruling coalition is making efforts to win over JUI-F chief as it faces a shortfall in numbers to pass the amendments

ISLAMABAD:

The ruling coalition reached out to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to seek his support for proposed constitutional amendments on Saturday night, according to sources. The move comes as the government lacks a crucial eight votes for the amendments.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Fazlur Rehman’s residence in the federal capital to discuss the amendments and judicial reforms. The ministers briefed the JUI-F leader and sought his backing for the initiative, sources told The Express Tribune.

Meanwhile, a delegation from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also arrived at Fazlur Rehman’s residence with a similar goal but left without meeting him after seeing the government officials there.

The PTI team, which included chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Omar Ayub, Asad Qaiser, and Sahibzada Hamid Raza, later returned to meet Fazlur Rehman and conveyed the opposition's stance on the constitutional amendments.

The government is making efforts to win over Fazlur Rehman as it faces a shortfall in numbers to pass the amendment. Both the government and opposition are vying for his support.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had made a late-night visit to Fazlur Rehman, offering him a role in the government in exchange for his backing.

However, sources claim Fazlur Rehman refused to support the amendments, making his position clear to the prime minister.