The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) on Wednesday gathered at the residence of the Sharif family in Lahore, claiming to have “largely” achieved consensus on a proposed constitutional amendments package.
Attended by the leaders of all three parties—JUIF’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman; PMLN’s Nawaz Sharif; and PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari—the meeting reportedly discussed the joint draft prepared by the JUIF and PPP and agreed on core points relating to judicial reforms. In a late night press conference alongside representatives of the other parties, the JUIF chief said the three were united on some points, and were “nearing” consensus on others. He hoped all matters would be resolved soon, leading to the tabling of the constitutional amendment in Parliament.
“After reaching Islamabad, I will talk to the PTI about the proposed amendments and try to take it on board,” he said, adding the aim of the amendments was to strengthen institutions.
PPP’s Bhutto-Zardari, similarly said Parliament would pass the proposed constitutional amendments at an appropriate time. “The consensus that was reached between two parties, the PPP and JUIF, on proposed drafts yesterday (Tuesday); today it is among three parties: PMLN, PPP and JUIF,” he said, stressing that the new package would protect the Constitution and ensure swift justice through the proposed constitutional court.
PMLN leader Ishaq Dar, who is also the deputy prime minister, said all three parties agreed upon judicial reforms.
While all three parties demurred on sharing details of their proposed amendments, the core divisive issue appears to be the constitutional court, with the JUIF proposing a constitutional bench instead. The matter has taken on outsized importance for the PPP, which has maintained forming a constitutional court would fulfill another section of the Charter of Democracy inked between Sharif and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
Among the people present at the meeting were Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif; Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz; Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan; Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi; Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar; Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab; Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, and PPP’s Naveed Qamar.