KARACHI: JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that his party and the Pakistan People’s Party have reached a consensus on the draft constitutional amendment and now they will seek the concurrence of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif on the draft before reaching out to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI).
Addressing a press conference along with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Karachi, Maulana Fazl said that efforts were being made to sail the amendment bill through the Parliament unanimously.
He said that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has worked very hard on this. “We initially rejected the government’s first draft and proposed our own version, which we discussed with the People’s Party. The People’s Party had prepared their draft as well, and it closely aligned with ours. Both parties have now managed to bridge the differences between the drafts,” he said.
“We need to preserve the Constitution, strengthen democracy and democratic institutions, and rebuild trust in the political system. There have been long-standing damages that need to be addressed. Today, we must seriously consider the preservation of the Constitution. When your house is destroyed, you rebuild it yourself, not with others’ help. We have always stood by the Constitution and the country, and we continue to do so. The first draft was not acceptable, but we are pleased if there is consensus on the suggestions we’ve made. If our proposals are implemented, I will support the constitutional amendments. No one will be allowed to tamper with the Constitution,” the JUI-F chief said.
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“We will also attempt to persuade PTI. The constitutional amendment include the establishment of constitutional courts. We signed the Charter of Democracy in London, and we have reached an agreement, and that is how politics works. The Constitution itself was framed through a consensus, and political parties must collaborate on national issues. Legislation should aim to strengthen the country, the Parliament, and the Constitution.”
More Consensus Needed: Bilawal
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized the need for broader consensus, stating, “We want the PTI and other opposition parties to join us. The JUI-F and the PPP have historically played key roles in major constitutional amendments. Tomorrow, we will meet Mian Nawaz Sharif at a dinner in Raiwind, and the PML-N will join us in supporting the draft.”
He continued, “We want other parties, including opposition groups, to participate. This consensus will further strengthen our legislation. We need to come to an agreement that is without controversy. I’m pleased to share this good news with you. There has been a lack of dialogue in the political environment, and this marks the beginning of such dialogue, which is in the country’s best interest. My desire is to work together, as our elders have done before us”
Bilawal also added, “I became involved in this process at my mother’s desire. I was in no rush to get this amendment passed, as I have been waiting for this since 2006. I have carefully reviewed and discussed every section of the amendments.”
Regarding the PTI, he said, “The PTI generally seems unwilling to engage in dialogue. However, there is a joint forum in the House where we will talk to them. The PTI in in good term with Maulan Fazlur Rehman, we hope he will play his role in persuading them. The PTI must play a positive role and provide input on matters related to the country, beyond their personal and political concerns.”