Judicial reforms took center stage during a late-night meeting at the Sharif family’s Jati Umra residence in Lahore on Wednesday. Political heavyweights, including the Sharif brothers, President Asif Ali Zardari, and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, gathered to discuss these crucial reforms.
President Zardari and Maulana Fazl attended a dinner hosted by PML-N President Nawaz Sharif. Key figures present included Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The meeting underscored the importance of the proposed judicial reforms.
Following the discussions, Maulana Fazl, Bilawal, and Dar addressed the media. Fazl announced that a consensus on judicial reforms had been achieved. He noted that further consultations would focus on additional proposals. He also mentioned plans to meet with PTI leadership after returning to Islamabad to include their input in the constitutional amendment.
Fazl reaffirmed his party’s earlier rejection of the initial amendment, emphasizing that this position remains unchanged. He highlighted the need for thorough discussions to resolve major issues. “Detailed dialogue on key matters will safeguard both the country and the Constitution,” he stated.
Bilawal thanked Maulana Fazl for his role in the consensus-building process. He noted that while the PPP and JUI-F had already agreed, the inclusion of three political parties now broadens the support for judicial reforms. “We seek the supremacy of the Constitution through constitutional courts and demand swift justice,” he added.
Dar confirmed that the three parties reached an agreement on judicial reforms, with additional consensus expected soon. A day prior, the PPP and JUI-F finalized a draft for the proposed 26th constitutional amendment. Maulana Fazl praised Bilawal’s efforts in facilitating this agreement.
The constitutional package aims to establish a federal constitutional court and set a three-year tenure for the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP). Last month, the government’s attempt to pass a closely-guarded constitutional package faltered amid speculation about extending CJP Qazi Faez Isa’s tenure.
The government needs a two-thirds majority in parliament to pass the amendments. Reports suggest a shortfall of 13 votes in the National Assembly and nine in the Senate.
In a bid to advance the process, the federal government has summoned sessions of the National Assembly and Senate for October 17. President Zardari announced the National Assembly session at 4 PM and the Senate session at 3 PM. This comes just after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
The coalition government is determined to build consensus on its controversial judicial reforms package. Meetings of the special parliamentary committee, led by PPP MNA Syed Khursheed Shah, are ongoing to discuss the proposed 26th constitutional amendment.
