The government’s push for constitutional amendments has hit a snag, with the process delayed as JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman requests additional time to review the proposed changes.
Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui revealed that the plan to present the amendments has been “postponed indefinitely.” He clarified that while Maulana Fazlur Rehman does not oppose the amendments on principle, he needs more time to examine the draft thoroughly.
In an interview with Geo News, Siddiqui explained that although Fazl supports some aspects of the amendments, he requires further review of specific provisions. This delay follows the government’s unsuccessful attempts to gain Fazl’s support, particularly regarding proposals related to extending judges’ tenures and raising their retirement age.
Recent efforts to advance the amendments included discussions with federal ministers, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, PTI representatives, and late-night meetings with former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti.
The proposed amendments require a two-thirds majority in parliament for approval: 224 votes in the National Assembly and 64 in the Senate. The ruling coalition currently has 211 members in the National Assembly, falling 13 votes short of the needed majority. The coalition comprises PML-N, PPP, MQM-P, PML-Q, and other smaller parties, while the opposition, backed by PTI-supported independents, holds 101 seats.