ISLAMABAD: A series of important discussions and meetings unfolded in early hours of Sunday as political parties (PTI, PPP, PML-N) with with Maulana Fazl ahead of the proposed constitutional amendment on Sunday (today).
The developments occur ahead of Shehbaz administration seeking a constitutional amendment that requires a clear majority in the National Assembly (NA) to be passed.
The PML-N government is seeking to increase the age of superior courts’ judges. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), meanwhile, strongly opposes the proposed amendment.
Read more: Govt struggles to secure magic number for constitutional amendment
Shehbaz hosted a dinner for coalition members at 7 pm on Saturday as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) govemrent struggles to secure a vast majority needed to pass its proposed amendment.
During the dinner, Shehbaz ‘expressed gratitude’ for the NA members’ support. He talked abut the importance of ‘unity’ among allies, stating that their cooperation was crucial during ‘important moments’.
The PM also instructed all members to remain in Islamabad and participate in the upcoming NA session.
Around the same time, a delegation from the PTI visited the residence of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F). The PTI delegation featured key leaders – Barrister Gohar, Asad Qaiser and Omar Ayub.
The PTI leaders sought to engage in dialogue with Fazl regarding the proposed amendment.
Similarly, the leader of Sunni Itehad Council (SIC) Hamid Raza also arrived at Fazl’s residence.
The meeting commenced in the presence of Asad Qaiser, Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz and Sahibzada Hamid Raza. From the JUI-F side, Aslam Ghori and Senator Kamran Murtaza were present.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari hosted his own dinner, in honour of PPP members in NA. The meeting saw the attenuated of key part figures, including Yusuf Raza Gilana, Faisal Karim Kundi, and Asifa Bhutto.
Shazia Marri, Sherry Rehman, Syed Rafiullah, Syed Khurshid Shah and Naveed Qamar also attended.
Following the PTI delegation’s initial meeting with Maulana Fazl, a government delegation led by Mohsin Naqvi and Azam Nazeer Tarar also visited the JUI-F chief.
As the night progressed, Bilawal arrived at Fazl’s residence as well, accompanied by Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani. In response to a journalist’s inquiry about his hopes for the meeting, the PPP Chairman remarked that “the world is built on hope”.
His visit was aimed at addressing the upcoming constitutional amendments at next NA session. The PPP delegation also included Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab.
Read more: PM to host dinner for coalition parliamentarians tonight
Throughout the meetings, discussion centered around the necessity of legislative action in ‘national interest’ and the importance of maintain the ‘sanctity’ of the country’s parliament.
The PM talked about political stability as being essential for economic development and that ‘attempts’ to ‘undermine’ constitutional institutions would not be tolerated.