ISLAMABAD: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) has completely rejected the controversial constitutional package proposed by the government. Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that the draft, presented to the opposition, was unacceptable. He spoke to reporters after a luncheon hosted by PTI leader Asad Qaiser on Wednesday.
The government had been pushing for this constitutional package amid speculation about extending the tenure of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, who is due to retire in October. Last month, the PTI requested an early notification for the next top judge’s appointment. Despite intense efforts from the ruling coalition, including multiple meetings with Fazl by PML-N and PPP leaders, they could not secure his support.
Even though the government claimed to have the “magic number” to pass the bill, they failed to present the amendments in parliament and postponed the move indefinitely. This delay was confirmed by PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui. The proposed amendments include legislation to extend CJP Isa’s tenure and to increase the retirement age for judges. However, the government lacks 13 votes in the National Assembly and nine in the Senate to pass the amendments.
Traditionally rivals, the PTI and JUI-F found common ground after the February 8 general elections. They expressed mutual concerns over alleged election manipulation. Asad Qaiser’s luncheon in honor of Fazl included other PTI lawmakers, such as Omar Ayub, Barrister Gohar, and former president Arif Alvi.
Fazl reiterated their rejection of the constitutional amendments. He remarked that the draft was shared with select individuals, not broadly. “If we had agreed to the constitutional package, it would have been the biggest breach of the nation’s trust,” he concluded.
