Tag: 26th amendment

  • 26th Constitutional Amendment passed: Here’s what you need to know

    26th Constitutional Amendment passed: Here’s what you need to know

    The coalition government’s much-awaited 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill has been passed by both the Senate and the National Assembly in the wee hours of Monday morning.

    The Constitutional Amendment bill has been sent to President Asif Ali Zardari, following the approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

    The bill, containing 22 clauses, was presented by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar in the Senate where it secured 65 votes, a two-thirds majority in the Upper House.

    Following the voting, Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani stated, “Sixty-five members are in favour of the motion regarding the passage of the bill, and four members are against it. So, the motion is carried out by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of the Senate, and consequently, the bill stands passed.”

    The 26th Constitutional Amendment bill was tabled at the National Assembly following approval from the Upper House and passed with a two-thirds majority as 225 lawmakers voted in favour of the bill in NA, while the magic number in the Lower House was 224 votes.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Sunni Ittehad Council’s 12 Member National Assembly (MNA) opposed the Constitutional Amendments In the National Assembly.

    “225 members cast their votes for ayes, 12 for nos. Consequently, the bill is passed by the assembly by not less than two-thirds of the total membership of the assembly,” the Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq said.

    Following the passage of the bill from the NA, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif remarked, “Today’s amendment, the 26th, is not just an amendment, but an example of national solidarity and consensus. A new sun will rise, emanating across the nation.”

    The key points of the 26th Constitutional Amendment

    The much-debated Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has been dropped from the Constitutional Amendments bill. However, it has been suggested that constitutional benches be formed in the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan to deal with constitutional matters.

    The Supreme Judicial Commission (SJC), headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan and including the three most senior judges of the Supreme Court, two senators and two MNAs, a Law Minister and the Attorney General of Pakistan will form the constitutional bench and ensure that all provinces get representation on it.

    The minimum number of judges in the constitutional bench would be five.

    A 12-member special parliamentary committee, including eight members from the National Assembly and four Senators, would be responsible for sending the names of the three most senior judges of the top court to PM Pakistan for the appointment of Chief Justice of Pakistan.

    The Chief Justice’s retirement age is fixed at 65 years of age.

  • Long-awaited 26th Amendment tabled; PTI skips voting

    Long-awaited 26th Amendment tabled; PTI skips voting

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to skip voting on the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendments as both the Upper and Lower Houses are expected to go to vote on Sunday evening.

    Chairman of PTI, Barrister Gohar, again met Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on Sunday afternoon to discuss the Amendments again.

    Talking to the press after the meeting, Barrister Gohar said, “We appreciate Maulana’s role but Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will not vote on this Amendment.”

    He said that he hoped to continue the fruitful relation the party has with Fazlur Rehman.

    Maulana himself them took to the podium to make a few short comments.

    “In the process of [formulating] the Constitutional Amendments, we have broken the teeth of the black snake and removed it’s venom. I think PTI will agree with this.

    Abstaining from voting as protest is PTI’s right.”

    The two leaders then walked away.

  • PPP and JUI-F agree on 26th Constitutional Amendments

    PPP and JUI-F agree on 26th Constitutional Amendments

    Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has claimed that PPP and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) have reached a 100 per cent consensus on the Constitutional Amendments.

    Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Bhutto expressed his wish by saying that Maulana Fazlur Rehman should himself present the Constitutional Amendments draft in parliament.

    Regarding the positive role of political parties on the 26th Constitutional Amendment, he urges the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party by saying, “Prove that you PTI are a political party, not social media Lashkar.”

    “Politics is a name of compromises,” Chairman PPP added.

    He further said that he hoped that Maulana Fazlur Rehman could convince the PTI leadership of the government’s proposed Constitutional Amendments.

    Meanwhile, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Barrister Gohar Khan clarified his party stance on Constitutional Amendments by saying, “Jab tak Khan sahab ki final guidance nahi a jati tab tak hum is position ma nahi hu sakte ke hum is par vote kar sakain.”

    He remarked that the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, gave a message to his followers from Adiala Jail Rawalpindi that Khan is firm in remaining in jail for “100 years” for the betterment of the sovereignty of the constitution.

  • Names of opposition Senators revealed who may vote in favour of the Constitutional Amendments

    Names of opposition Senators revealed who may vote in favour of the Constitutional Amendments

    Veteran journalist Azaz Syed has revealed the names of opposition senators who might vote in favour of the government’s proposed Constitutional Amendments.

    Speaking on the YouTube channel Talk SHOCK, Azaz Syed disclosed that there is a possibility that Senator Faisal Saleem, Senator Ahmad Khan, Senator Abdul Shakoor Qasim, Senator Naseema Ehsan, Senator Dr Zarka Suharwardy Taimur and Senator Saifullah Abro might vote in favour of the 26th Constitutional Amendments in the Upper House.

    “Although, these Senators did not confirm their support for the government,” he added.

    Commenting on the suggestion of military court inclusion in the 26th Constitutional Amendment draft, Syed cleared that it is not part of the coalition government’s proposed Constitutional Amendment draft.

    Meanwhile, talking to media outside the parliament, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif today claimed that the coalition government has achieved the magic number to pass the Constitutional Amendments from parliament.

  • Here’s how the chief justice will be appointed after 26th Constitutional Amendment

    Here’s how the chief justice will be appointed after 26th Constitutional Amendment

    A draft of the government’s proposed 26th Constitutional Amendment has unveiled the process of the appointment of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP).

    Ruling out the scenario of the most senior judge being appointed the Chief Justice of Pakistan, it has been suggested in Constitutional Amendments that the appointment shall be made from among the three most senior judges of the Supreme Court on the recommendation of a special parliamentary committee.

    Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Yahya Afridi are in the running on the basis of seniority.

    Eight members of the National Assembly and four members of the Senate will be part of the 12 members of the special parliamentary committee.

    The majority of the special parliamentary committee will be from the ruling government.

    The proposed Constitutional Amendments further suggested that if the National Assembly is dissolved, then all committee members will be from the Senate.

    However, the special parliamentary committee will send the name of the judge to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and then the President will give consent to the appointment of the top court judge.

    The next senior judge’s name would be considered for the CJP if the Prime Minister rejects the special committee’s proposed judge name, and the process will continue until the CJP is appointed.

    The majority of the special parliamentary committee would be responsible for sending the name of the nominated judge to the Prime Minister prior to 14 days of retirement of the CJP.

    No decision or action of the commission or committee shall be questioned or deemed illegal following the vacancy in membership or the absence of any member in the special parliamentary committee, the 26th constitutional amendment concluded.

  • Will PTI lawmakers support the 26th Constitutional Amendments?

    Will PTI lawmakers support the 26th Constitutional Amendments?

    A day after Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Barrister Gohar Khan claimed that seven lawmakers of the ruling coalition lawmakers will vote against the 26th constitutional amendments, the incumbent government reportedly played its card and brought over opposition members to its side.

    Speaking on the YouTube channel ‘Talk SHOCK,’ veteran journalist Azaz Syed disclosed that 11 Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) of PTI are with the incumbent government. “The government will only use four to five PTI lawmakers” to vote in favour of Constitutional Amendments in parliament, he said.

    Speaking about the possible timing of tabling the 26th Constitutional Amendments in parliament, Syed predicted that in the next 48 hours, the Constitutional Amendments will be passed from the Senate (Upper House).

    “Chief Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman will support the constitutional amendments in the Senate,” Syed predicted.

    JUI-F on Thursday disclosed its key suggestions for the 26th Constitutional Amendment, suggesting the establishment of a constitutional bench within the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan as well as at high courts, reports said.

    According to reports, all political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have reached a consensus on the formation of a constitutional bench at the top court, and no party has objected to this suggestion.

  • ‘Iss tarmeem ke peeche aik bohut bara naam hai…,’ reveals Maulana Fazl in a slip of tongue

    ‘Iss tarmeem ke peeche aik bohut bara naam hai…,’ reveals Maulana Fazl in a slip of tongue

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, while addressing a press conference on October 17 along with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, had an apparent slip of the tongue when he said: “This is such a significant amendment that there is a big name behind it and that name is…”

    As soon as Maulana said those words, everyone burst into laughter, including PTI’s Asad Qaiser, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Omar Ayub, and Sheikh Waqas Akram.

    Maulana, while smiling, then stated: “Wait a minute… That man can be Mohsin Naqvi.”

    Last night, the JUI-F chief warned of suspending talks on the highly anticipated constitutional amendment with the government amidst undue pressure on his party members.

    “We are engaging with the government with absolute open-heartedness, but sadly, we are receiving reports of pressure being exerted on our members while both PTI and BNP members are being intimidated,” said Fazl.

    “If these tactics continue, they will be compelled to stop negotiations,” warned Fazlur Rehman.

    The JUI-F chief further said that if the government chooses to talk with them reasonably, then his party would answer politely; however, if the government uses thuggery to speak with them, then they would receive their reply in the same tone and tenor.

    In the past few weeks, the coalition government has been consistently engaged with the JUI-F Chief to convince him of the proposed constitutional amendments, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto at the forefront of the negotiations.

    Maulana acknowledged the positive role played by PTI, saying, “they have accepted what is feasible and agreed to continue consultations today (Friday).”

    Furthermore, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar stated: “Despite these issues, we have participated in every meeting to ensure the draft is presented before us.”

    On October 16, PTI member Meher Bano Qureshi posted on X (formerly Twitter) that her sister-in-law, the wife of PTI MNA Zain Qureshi, was abducted from near their home by “masked men in plain clothes and multiple cars.”

    “They have not been able to break us for the last year and half despite all kinds of threats and are now resorting to such low level tactics. Mine & my family’s faith in Allah is unbreakable. He will see us & Pakistan through this fascism,” she wrote.

    A few hours later, Qureshi posted a photo with the caption: “Alhamdulillah, she’s home. Thank you for your prayers and support!”

    However, Meher Bano Qureshi was not the only one to complain about the sudden ‘disappearance’ and ‘abduction’ of lawmakers and their family members.

    Chairman Balochistan National Party (BNP) Akhtar Mengal also posted on X, “My party Senator Naseema Ehsan is confined to her apartment, and her son has been abducted. Meanwhile, my party’s other Senator Qasim Roonjo, who went for his dialysis at 8 a.m. in Islamabad, has been untraceable along with his son since then. Is this what democracy looks like?!!!”

    The BNP leader warned last week that “undemocratic methods” were being employed to enforce the upcoming constitutional amendments.

  • Constitutional Amendment: Key points of JUI-F draft revealed

    Constitutional Amendment: Key points of JUI-F draft revealed

    In an interesting development, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has disclosed its key suggestions for the 26th Constitutional Amendment, suggesting the establishment of a constitutional bench at the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan as well as at high courts, reports said.

    According to reports, all political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have reached a consensus on the formation of a constitutional bench at the top court, and no party has objected to this suggestion.

    Meanwhile, the JUI-F has also suggested in its draft that a constitutional bench should be established at the apex court and include the chief justice, besides the five senior-most judges of the SC, who will decide on disputes regarding the Constitution and its interpretation.

    “The constitutional bench at high courts should comprise of the respective chief justice as well as three senior judges of the court,” the draft added.

    The party also demanded to restore parts of the 18th Amendment to the extent of appointment of judges and amendment in article 175-A.

    JUI-F also demanded the repeal of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

    The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), however, have so far not agreed to most points proposed in the JUI-F draft, reports added.

    The coalition government remained unsuccessful last month when it tried to pass the constitutional package, but since then it has been aggressively championed, in a campaign led by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, to get the required votes.

    Meanwhile, to pass the constitutional amendment, the government is reportedly short of 13 votes in the National Assembly (NA) and nine in the Upper House (Senate).

  • The turbulent story of govt’s aspirational constitutional amendments

    The turbulent story of govt’s aspirational constitutional amendments

    Amid the undetermined delay of the incumbent federal government’s proposed twenty-sixth constitutional amendment package, the past days have been tumultuous for both the Upper and Lower House of parliament.

    To every government effort to pass the constitutional amendments package, the opposition put up resistance, ultimately pushing the coalition government to back foot. Chief Jamiat Ulema Islam- Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman remains the decision-maker, despite having only five Senate votes.

    The story started when Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) bigwigs, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar were tasked to convince Fazlur Rehman to vote for the controversial constitutional amendments, prominent journalist Ansar Abbasi told Geo News.

    Government sources revealed that the government called National Assembly (NA) and Senate meetings without any deal with JUIF Chief Rehman, which ultimately failed.

    A PML-N source has disclosed that it has become difficult for the government to convince Rehman over the proposed amendments, but the government will make every effort to bring him on board.

    The leader of PML-N unveiled a government plan to pass the controversial amendments in the upcoming fifteen days.

    He further said that the current federal government led by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif couldn’t afford to delay the amendments, adding the probability of awarding two Senate seats to JUI-F over its consent to the constitutional package.

    Fazlur Rehman had remarked that government has not shared the constitutional package draft with any party including his, “It is a sensitive issue which should be discussed calmly,” he said.

    Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Omer Ayub Khan had stated, “They (the government) have no draft with them, and they did not know what to discuss.”

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf declared the constitutional package “a serious piece of legislation” and advised the government not to act hastily.

    The chief of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), Akhtar Mengal, had disclosed that two party senators were being pressurised to vote in favour of a “constitutional package”, a set of proposed amendments tabled by the government.

    Meanwhile, incarcerated former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that new constitutional amendments will jeopardise the country’s future.

    Talking to journalists in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said that the formation of a new Federal Constitutional Court is being considered as the incumbent government fears the Supreme Court (SC).

    He stated, “The purpose of constitutional amendments is to keep me in jail; rulers have decided to destroy the judiciary.”

    He further stated, “Sitting members in government don’t want to perceive the judiciary as independent.”

    Responding to controversial proposed constitutional amendments, he alleged that the money and properties of those proposing the amendments are outside the country.

    Criticising the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, he said, “The incumbent government wanted to destroy judiciary by reinstating CJP Isa.”

    On Monday, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui has confirmed that the government’s late-night hustling and manoeuvring to get JUI-F president Fazal ur Rehman onboard to pass the constitutional amendments have failed, and the amendments have been postponed indefinitely.

    However, The proposed constitutional package formulated by the federal government contained fifty-four suggestions, has been revealed.

    According to the constitutional amendments draft, article 63 (A) of the constitution states that a member vote against the direction of the parliamentary party will be counted, Geo News reported.

    Article 17 suggests establishing a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), and Article 175 proposes changing the judge’s appointment method.

    The draft proposals suggests that an eight-member National Assembly Committee will send the names of top senior judges to the Prime Minister (PM) for the position of Chief Justice (CJ) of the Federal Constitutional Court. The committee will then choose one CJ out of three recommended names, ruling out the scenario of the most senior judge as CJ.

    However, the first CJ of the FC Court will be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, the President will appoint the first Constitutional Court judges after consulting with the Chief Justice.

    The retirement age of CJ FC Court will be sixty-eight years, and a Supreme Court judge will be appointed for a three-year term in FCC as a judge.

    The draft also read that the Suo Motu authority will be withdrawn from the High Court.

  • JUI-F leader questions need for secrecy in constitutional amendments

    JUI-F leader questions need for secrecy in constitutional amendments

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Hafiz Hamdullah has questioned the need for secrecy in the constitutional amendment drafts that were being prepared for voting in parliaments.

    Appearing in the Geo News programme Geo Pakistan, Hamdullah expressed concern over constitutional amendments, stating, “The coalition parties and opposition parties are completely unaware of the constitutional package that the government proposed. The real draft of the amendments is hidden.”

    He remarked that if the amendments are in Pakistan’s interest, why is the government being secretive.

    He further said, “Poori hakumat Maulana Fazlur Rehman kay haan ya na par khari hai,” and asked suspiciously, Do the amendments aim to make the judiciary independent or control it?

    Responding to party dispute with the incumbent government over proposed amendments, he clarified, “JUI-F’s basic disagreement over constitutional amendments is based on judges extension. JUI-F will answer if the government share a draft with us.”

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Advisor for Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has declared meetings with Chief JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman productive.

    Speaking with the media in the parliament house, Sanaullah disclosed that the Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto, along with Chief JUI-F Rehman, have decided to widen the scope of consultation, which Sanaullah declared beneficial for democracy.