Progress Made in Constitutional Amendment Discussions Among Political Parties

On Saturday, the Special Parliamentary Committee, chaired by Khursheed Shah, held a crucial session to debate and seek consensus among political parties on the proposed constitutional amendment. The meeting concluded with a significant decision to form a sub-committee, and the next session is scheduled for October 17.

Key political figures, including Raja Pervez Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman from the PPP, and Azam Nazir Tarar and Irfan Siddique from the PML-N, actively participated in the discussions. PTI representatives, Barrister Gohar and Omar Ayub, were also present, with Asad Qaiser joining via video link. Notable attendees included Ijazul Haq, Farooq Sattar, Aminul Haq, and Jan Buledi from the National Party.

The JUI-F presented its draft proposal during the session, although JUI-F President Fazlur Rehman and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari were absent. A follow-up session on the joint draft by the PPP and JUI-F is set to take place at Zardari House. The PPP had previously introduced its draft during the committee’s earlier meeting.

Meanwhile, the PTI has yet to present its own draft on the amendment but expressed intentions to review the government’s position. Minister Tarar emphasized the need for dialogue, stating that opposition suggestions are crucial for resolving ongoing issues.

In a media interaction, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari highlighted the significance of establishing a federal constitutional court, echoing the vision of Quaid-e-Azam. Raja Pervez Ashraf affirmed that the amendment is not aimed at any individual, expressing optimism regarding the progress made in discussions.