The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday announced a nationwide protest for Friday (Oct. 18) against the proposed 26th constitutional package, as the PPP, JUIF and PMLN claimed they had “largely” achieved consensus on sections related to judicial reforms.
“The PTI political committee has decided to resist the constitutional amendments,” read a declaration issued by the PTI after a meeting of its political committee. It said all regional and local arms of the PTI had been instructed to stage “peaceful” protests against the government’s attempts to pass the contentious constitutional amendment.
The statement also stressed that the PTI would make all-out efforts to block the passage of the proposed constitutional amendments in both Houses of parliament.
Also on Wednesday, leaders of the PPP, PMLN and JUIF gathered in Lahore and announced they had largely achieved consensus on the proposed amendments, while some discussions was required on a few pending issues. JUIF leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman also announced he would soon meet the PTI and attempt to get it onboard on the proposed amendments.
The most contentious issues in the proposed constitutional package, according to the PTI, are the bid to form a federal constitutional court and alter the mode of appointing the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP). According to the latest reports, the government has agreed to support the JUIF’s proposal for the formation of a constitutional bench rather than a constitutional court, with the PTI expressing its support for this proposal.