All eyes on Fazl as govt readies judicial reforms

PM says parliament country's supreme institution

ISLAMABAD:

Parliament is in for an extended weekend as rather than retreating to their hometowns, lawmakers on Saturday found themselves staying put as the government prepares to drop the hammer on a much-debated constitutional amendment package.

A late-night statement from the PM Office strengthened the notion that the constitutional amendment package was coming down the pike.

During a dinner banquet, PM Shehbaz told the legislators of the allied parties that parliament is the country's supreme institution and that to uphold its sanctity, it is necessary to make legislation in the national and public interest.

The prime minister said that matters of national importance should be resolved only through parliament -- suggesting that Sunday would bring major changes in the judicial territory.

The prime minister highlighting the importance of legislative efforts in the national and public interest, said that parliament was the supreme institution of the country.

He underscored that the sanctity of parliament must always be upheld, adding that national issues should only be resolved through parliament.

The prime minister said the incumbent government had steered the country away from the risk of default and towards stability. "Political stability is crucial for ensuring economic stability and advancing the country on the path of development," he added.

He pointed out that anti-state elements made every effort for the country to default. He said there were attempts to drag constitutional institutions and non-political figures into politics and make them a party.

"The Charter of Democracy was signed under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto that permanently blocked the path for unconstitutional actions," the prime minister said.

He added that politics will continue, but the continuity of policies was crucial to save the country. He highlighted that the country was making significant progress before 2018 under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif, however a well-planned conspiracy was executed to remove him from the political landscape.

"This conspiracy proved to be very expensive for Pakistan and its people as within the next three years, an incompetent government brought the country at the verge of default," he added.

The government had rushed to call the sessions of both the National Assembly and Senate, stimulating the idea that it was all set to introduce constitutional amendments, including increasing the retirement age of the judges, changing the appointment method of CJP, establishing constitutional courts, and overhauling justice system, among other things.

However, it ultimately decided to use the day to rehearse only as the sessions were adjourned till Sunday (today) soon after the Supreme Court delivered another jolt to the ruling alliance in the reserved seats matter, as the top court reiterated that PTI is a parliamentary party and ordered ECP to immediately allocate reserved seats to PTI that were previously distributed among other parties.

 

Maulana holds the key

 

Meanwhile, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of JUI-F, found himself at the heart of national politics, with both government and opposition delegations beating a path to his door.

Both sides appeared to be vying for his crucial support in passing the proposed legislation in Parliament. The JUI-F chief hosted a PTI delegation for dinner.

Led by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, the PTI delegation included prominent figures like Shibli Faraz, Umar Ayub, and Asad Qaiser.

The JUI-F spokesperson confirmed that Maulana Fazlur Rehman graciously welcomed the PTI team, and they engaged in a candid discussion.

JUI-F's legal advisors, Senator Kamran Murtaza and Hafiz Ehsan Khokhar, were also present at the meeting.

The PTI delegation stayed for nearly two hours. As they left, PTI leader and opposition leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, confidently stated that the government "will not be able to muster the necessary numbers for the constitutional amendment."

After the dinner, the PTI and JUI-F delegations will reconvene to discuss matters related to the constitutional amendment package, according to insiders.

Barrister Gohar confirmed that the meeting with the Maulana went well. "There are no guarantees in politics, but it was a positive discussion. Insha'Allah, we will reach an agreement."

The PTI delegation expressed their concerns to the JUI-F chief about the government secretly making amendments, "which suggests something is fishy".

Sources indicate that Maulana Fazlur Rehman disagreed with the government's proposals, stating, "We have given our suggestions to the government."

Furthermore, Maulana said, "I am not in favour of extending the tenure of any individual." He also mentioned that consultations with his legal team are ongoing.

Sahibzada Hamid Raza, head of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), also expressed optimism.

"Insha'Allah, everything will work out for the best. Some matters are handled mutually. My smile is the response to how our meeting went," he said.

Similarly, PTI leader Omar Ayub confidently claimed that "the government will not be able to secure the numbers needed for the constitutional amendment."

"Insha'Allah, everything will be fine. It's time to sleep now; let's all get some rest."

When asked if there was any good news, Omar Ayub replied with a smile, "It's time to sleep now."

Another journalist inquired, "Did Maulana serve you halwa?" Omar Ayub responded, "Yes, the food was excellent."

Earlier, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi paid Maulana Fazlur Rehman a visit at his Islamabad residence for an in-depth conversation.

According to insiders, the government delegation was trying to bring Maulana on board with the constitutional amendments they aimed to push through.

The government's delegation lingered at Maulana's residence for around an hour and a half, keeping tight-lipped as they exited without addressing the media.

Interestingly, amid the high-level discussion, a delegation from PTI also arrived at Maulana's residence. However, upon discovering that the government representatives were still in the thick of negotiations, the PTI team made a swift retreat.

Once the coast was clear, the PTI delegation returned to hold its own meeting with the influential JUI-F leader.

Later, at around 1:30 am., a delegation from the PPP, led by its chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, also arrived at Fazl's residence.

According to the JUI-F spokesperson, Bilawal met with the JUI-F chief and discussed the country's political situation.

The PPP delegation included Aijaz Jakhrani and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, while the JUI-F delegation comprised Maulana Asad Mahmood, Aslam Ghori, Kamran Murtaza, and Mir Usman Badini.

Meanwhile, just when the government was mulling to test waters in the hurriedly-called sessions, the top court order on ECP's application seeking guidance on certain legal and factual issues in the reserved seats case changed the scenario in the National Assembly.

Minutes before the SC ruling slamming delay tactics and warning ECP against non-implementation of reserved seats verdict, the members of the ruling alliance were almost in full attendance and PML-N leaders were even seen marking attendance of its MNAs.

However, soon after the release of the SC order, the front rows on both sides of the aisles suddenly became vacant as top leaders went into lobbies and the second-tier leaders of the treasury and opposition benches started making rhetoric speeches, pointing fingers at opponent's leaders and blaming them for past's wrongs.

Nevertheless, the capital was abuzz with all kinds of rumors about the likely constitutional amendments and how the government could complete its numbers.

Reports regarding PM Shehbaz Sharif as well as PTI leaders rushing to JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman kept making headlines as JUIF's eight votes in NA and five in Senate can help the government to come closer to achieving its goal of passing constitutional and judicial package in both the houses.

The PTI leadership also rushed to Maulana's residence to persuade him to not support the ruling alliance at this crucial juncture.

Despite SC ruling and back and forth meetings with Maulana, the government still seems adamant to table the constitutional-and-judicial-centric package as it has only been deferred for one day.

What strengthens it even more is PM Shehbaz's reported decision to call a federal cabinet meeting just ahead of 11:30am meeting of the National Assembly.

Those familiar with developments said that cabinet meeting has been called to give assent to the constitutional package as it is required before such an agenda is tabled in Parliament.

This suggests that the government isn't much bothered about SC decision and moving ahead with its plan on the heels of defence minister's statement that the ruling alliance has the magic number to pass legislation.

When asked why the government was in a hurry, a source in the ruling alliance revealed that there were several engagements planned in the coming days, including participation in UNGA session, arrival of a foreign dignitary as well as parliamentarians planned visits abroad, and the ruling alliance wanted to complete business before that, saying the weekend suited it.

Before the floor was given to the B teams of the ruling and opposition parties, the top-tier leaders, including PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Leader of the Opposition in NA Omer Ayub, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar, former PM and speaker NA Raja Pervaiz Ashraf spoke in the house and deliberated on incarcerated ex-PM Imran Khan's tweets against the CJP and army chief.

In his speech, Bilawal while extending felicitations to Makhdoom Tahir Rashiduddin on becoming a member of the National Assembly after winning by-election in Rahim Yar Khan said that the people of Pakistan do not stand with the politics of hate or with Prisoner No. 804 – ex-PM Imran Khan.

"Those who support Prisoner No. 804 continue to lose by-elections," he said, saying the allied parties were emerging victorious.

Chairman Bilawal referenced a statement made yesterday by Prisoner No. 804, in which he attacked every constitutional institution for personal political gain and to seek relief from his cases.

PPP chairman urged the PTI to investigate whether this statement was actually made by Imran Khan. Until yesterday, he said, the country was moving in a positive direction, with a forum being formed to legislate for democracy. However, this statement represents an attack on democracy.

Bilawal pointed out that the individual had committed contempt of court against the current Chief Justice and had made politically motivated accusations against the Chief of Army Staff, aiming to make the post controversial.

"If Imran Khan indeed made this statement," Bilawal stated, "he should face the consequences as per the Constitution and law of Pakistan." If Imran Khan did not make the statement, he added, then the opposition leader or the party chairman must clarify whether the account was managed by Ali Amin or Mr Sher Afzal Marwat.

 

"Such clarification," he stressed, "is essential."

 

Following speeches of opposition leader, defence minister, PTI chairman and Ashraf were more of reactionary speeches to what Bilawal said but questioned if things could smoothly function between the treasury and opposition benches if jailed PTI chief continue to release statements targeting CJP and COAS. As opposed to ifs and buts of the opposition benches, the treasury benches vowed to lend their weight behind the CJP and COAS.

When the speeches were being made and deliberations continued on completing numbers required for the constitutional amendments in and outside the parliament, the only thing that remained certain was the secrecy surrounding the move as government high-ups refrained from sharing the exact details of the constitutional package, saying everyone should wait till Sunday.