The Upper House of the Parliament on Monday unanimously passed the resolution demanding the government to declare the official celebration of the Finality of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) Day on September 7th as a national holiday in connection with the day of declaration of Qadianis as non-Muslims.
The 12th meeting of the 342nd Senate Session started almost 11 minutes late on Monday with the recitation of the Holy Quran under Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan Nasar in chair.
Senator Atta-ur-Rehman of Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) moved the resolution stating, “Commemorating the historical day of September 7, 1974; the day when the Parliament of Pakistan unanimously declared Qadianis as a non-Muslims minority; noting that indeed that day was historical not just for Pakistan but for the entire Muslim world as the long sustained struggle of the Muslims ultimately became successful."
"Realizing that it is imperative to highlight and remember the historical moments, the Senate of Pakistan, therefore, recommends to the Government that the day may be celebrated officially and be declared a national holiday," the resolution continued.
Speaking on the motion, he said the Day was historic as the Parliament put a bulwark against the invaders on the sanctity of the Finality of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
The occasion demanded the government to create awareness among the young generation, by declaring it a national holiday, on the matter of critical religious importance, he added.
“The government should announce medals for those Parliamentarians who played crucial role in ensuring protection of the Finality of Prophethood (Peace Be Upon Him) to remember their meritorious contributions for Islam,” the JUI-F Senator said.
The Senate session was prorogued without taking up the remaining agenda of two amendment bills.
While the Senate session scheduled for 12:30pm convened today and was later prorogued, the NA session began at around 1pm.
Senate prorogued without tabling 'Constitutional Package'
The much-anticipated 'Constitutional Package,' initially scheduled to be introduced in Parliament on Sunday and later during Monday's session, was not tabled.
As a result, the Senate session was prorogued without addressing it.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui of the ruling PML-N announced earlier today (Monday) that the contentious ‘Constitutional Package’ would not be presented in either house of Parliament today.
The package includes several amendments to the Constitution, with one proposal to limit the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan to three years.
The legislation was initially expected to be introduced in both the National Assembly and the Senate today, following intense efforts by the ruling coalition over the weekend to secure the necessary support.
Speaking to a private news channel, Siddiqui stated that both houses of Parliament would be “prorogued” and would reconvene “when we are fully prepared to introduce a constitutional amendment."
When asked if the matter could be delayed for months, the senator dismissed the notion, expressing confidence that the legislation would be tabled within a week or two. "It was our desire to have this [legislation] passed within two days,” he added.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman is reportedly working towards reaching an agreement on the matter.
Despite continued efforts, the government and opposition parties remain deadlocked over the constitutional amendments. Until a consensus is achieved, the draft bill will not be presented to the National Assembly or the Senate.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has left Islamabad for Lahore, followed by Hamza Shehbaz.
Sources indicate that the constitutional bill will only be brought before the cabinet once a decision is finalised and Maulana Fazlur Rehman is on board.
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