PA passes resolution in favour of 26th Amendment

CM showers accolades on Bilawal for passage of constitutional tweak

KARACHI:

The Sindh Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution in favour of the 26th Constitutional Amendment with a majority vote. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

While presenting the resolution, Shah remarked that just as the 1973 Constitution was a historic achievement of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and its founder, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the passage of the 26th Amendment is the result of the relentless efforts of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

Murad Ali Shah further stated that the 26th Amendment continues the legacy of the Charter of Democracy, signed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. He criticised the judiciary past practice of prioritising high-profile cases for media attention.

"The new amendment will enable litigants to receive timely justice," Shah noted, adding that Bilawal's determination was crucial in getting the amendment passed, even persuading the PML-N and Maulana Fazlur Rehman to support it.

He revealed that the final draft of the amendment was designed by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardar.

Opposition supports, but raises concerns

Leader of the Opposition Ali Khurshidi welcomed the resolution, calling it a positive step and a result of sound politics. However, he reminded the assembly that the Charter of Democracy mandates that the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee should be from the opposition, a practice being followed in Balochistan but ignored in Sindh.

Criticism over amendment

Jamaat-e-Islami's parliamentary leader, Muhammad Farooq, criticised the 26th Amendment, calling it non-consensual and alleging that it was not unanimously passed by the Sindh Assembly. He accused the government of selectively implementing the 18th Amendment and claimed that the new amendment had politicised the appointment of the Chief Justice, which his party opposes.

Shabbir Qureshi of the Sunni Ittehad Council accused the government of distorting Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's constitution for personal interests and warned against taking actions today that they may not tolerate tomorrow. "Congratulations to you on your 26th Amendment," he added sarcastically.

Sharjeel criticises judiciary, PTI

Senior Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon criticised the judiciary for undermining democracy, alleging that judges had dismissed elected prime ministers in the past.

He also accused Jamaat-e-Islami of supporting Zia-ul-Haq's draconian laws and backing Pervez Musharraf, with PTI being the first to endorse Musharraf's policies.