By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The parliament was adjourned on Sunday without considering a contentious constitutional amendment package, which has been shrouded in secrecy for weeks, after the ruling coalition failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority to pass the bill, aimed at increasing the retirement age of superior judges by three years and changing the process for appointing the Supreme Court chief justice.
The package, containing over two dozen amendments, is expected to give the executive greater control over key judicial appointments, postings, and transfers of superior court judges, as well as defections during house votes.
A day-long delay ended with a brief overnight convening of both houses, followed by an adjournment until Monday. The Senate meets at 11:30 a.m., while the National Assembly convenes at 12:30 p.m. Ahead of the parliamentary session on the bill, clearance from the federal cabinet is also required. The cabinet, which meets on Tuesdays, may convene a day early due to the Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) holiday.
Meanwhile, intense negotiations took place at Parliament House and the residence of ally and chief of the right-wing religiopolitical party, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, but failed to break the deadlock.
A special parliamentary committee also met to discuss the set of constitutional amendments in a bid to win over opposition support. The meeting, attended by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, followed the government’s failure to secure Rehman’s backing.
The committee meeting also ended in deadlock, with participants emerging after midnight looking weary. Committee chairperson Syed Khursheed Shah of the Pakistan Peoples Party told reporters that the draft amendment had not been shared with Rehman’s party, as it awaited cabinet approval, though Information Minister Ataullah Tarar claimed the draft was shared with Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) party.
Sources said the late-night decision to put off the sessions of both houses of parliament was taken at Rehman’s insistence.
Ahead of a parliamentary session, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the government had secured the required two-thirds majority of 224 votes to pass the constitutional amendment.
Speaking to reporters, Asif denied speculation that the amendment aimed to extend the tenure of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, perceived to be sympathetic to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) alliance led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
However, Asif later backtracked, admitting that the required consensus had not been reached, forcing the adjournment of the National Assembly session.
“That is why the session is adjourned,” he told the media. “The government is engaged with political parties to develop consensus.” Asif admitted that Rehman had not agreed to the government’s proposals.
The government had touted its ability to muster the required 224 votes in the National Assembly and 64 in the Senate, but a last-minute decision to postpone parliamentary sessions has raised questions about its confidence.
Maulana, a key player with five Senate seats, holds the key to the government’s success. His backing could swing the vote in the Senate, where the ruling coalition currently has 52 confirmed votes.
However, the picture is less clear in the National Assembly, where the coalition has 213 seats, short of the required 224. Even if the JUI-F’s eight seats are secured, the government would still fall short of the target.
The PTI fears up to five of its lawmakers may cross the floor and support the amendment. These lawmakers are among 41 legislators still classified as independents by the electoral body.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
