ISLAMABAD: The federal government is encountering delays in passing crucial legislation due to indecision by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) regarding its participation in the coalition government.
The support of the JUI-F is essential for the government to secure enough votes for a constitutional amendment. However, there has been no decisive progress as JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has yet to make a final decision.
Sources indicate that the government is eager to present a constitutional amendment bill to the Senate once it secures the necessary votes. However, this plan was postponed on Tuesday due to the unresolved status with the JUI-F. The government realized they would lack sufficient support without the JUI-F’s backing.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is reportedly awaiting a definitive response from Maulana Fazlur Rehman regarding an offer for the JUI-F to join the coalition. This offer includes the governorship of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four federal ministries, and a stake in the Balochistan government.
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Initially, the JUI-F was also offered the position of deputy chairman of the Senate. However, the party’s apparent lack of interest in this role led the government to propose the governorship of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa instead.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain are also actively working to secure Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s cooperation. Despite these efforts, the JUI-F leader has not yet accepted or rejected the offer and is consulting with party leaders before making a final decision.
To ensure the presence of government members in the Senate and secure the necessary support for the amendment, the government has also postponed a planned foreign visit by a parliamentary delegation.
