Live Updates: Govt fails to get two-thirds majority, constitutional amendment bill postponed

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s residence immediately after the latter’s return from a luncheon hosted by Pakistan Tehereek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser.

The two leaders held a private meeting, during which they discussed the country’s political situation, parliamentary matters, and a draft of proposed constitutional amendments.

According to sources, the JUI chief expressed his concerns about the draft amendments and provided his recommendations for the changes. The conversation also touched on his recent engagement with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

This meeting is part of an ongoing dialogue between the Interior Minister and the JUI-F leader, who have met multiple times in recent weeks.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is planning a week-long visit to South Punjab, assured that his legal team will remain available for further discussions on the constitutional amendments in his absence. Following the meeting with Naqvi, the JUI-F chief left for Multan.

The Awami National Party (ANP) demanded on Tuesday to change Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) name to “Pakhtunkhwa” in the constitutional amendment.

According to details, the ANP’s consultative committee meeting was held in Peshawar. On this occasion, the country’s political situation was underscored. The central core committee came up with the key decisions following the meeting.

The ANP had made it clear that the party would oppose the extension of the tenure in the constitutional posts.

“The party will oppose any of the constitutional amendments that will be against personal independence,” said the ANP.

“We denounce the proposals of trial of the political workers under the military courts through the constitutional amendment,” said the party.

“However, the ANP supports the judicial reforms in the constitutional amendments. The reforms will be helpful to end the doctrine of necessity permanently,” said the ANP.

“We will endorse the constitutional amendment, which will be in line with the 1973 Constitution,” the party said.

ANP said: “The current political war is happening for the sake of ruling the country.”

The party was of the view that the real power belongs to the parliament, which the masses elect.

 “We will continue our struggle for the sake of the supremacy of the parliament,” said the ANP.

During the meeting, the matters pertaining to the party’s organizational matters were also underscored.

In a bid to push through constitutional amendments related to judicial reforms, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has once again engaged with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-JUI-F (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

The PPP delegation, led by Bhutto, included notable figures including Syed Khurshid Shah, Naveed Qamar, and Murtaza Wahab.

On the other hand, JUI-F's top brass Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari, Maulana Abdul Wasay, Asad Mehmood, Kamran Murtaza, Usman Badini, and Maulana Misbahuddin were also present during the huddle.

According to Syed Khurshid Shah - a spokesperson for JUI - the meeting was part of an ongoing dialogue to align various political stakeholders on the proposed amendments.

Khurshid Shah stated, "We have taken Maulana Fazlur Rehman into confidence and discussed the previously contentious issues. We have removed provisions that faced objections."

The seasoned politician stressed that the right to legislate for the country's supremacy and the parliament’s authority cannot be obstructed. He assured that the PPP and its allies are committed to advancing the bill through parliament after consulting with all political parties.

Earlier, Bilawal Bhutto had engaged in crucial discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding securing support for the amendments.

In the meantime, the government has postponed the National Assembly and Senate sessions indefinitely, delaying the consideration of the constitutional amendments. 

A group of prominent lawyers, including Abid Zuberi, Shafqat Mehmood, and Munir Kakar, have filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging a set of proposed constitutional amendments.

The petition has named the federal government, the four provincial governments, the National Assembly, the Senate, and other relevant parties.

The petitioners argue that the proposed constitutional amendments undermine the separation of powers and threaten the independence of the judiciary. They have requested that the Supreme Court declare the proposed draft unconstitutional and prevent the government from moving forward with the amendments.

Also Read: Govt, Maulana Fazl agree to wait on constitutional amendments

The petition also calls for a halt to the process of presenting the bill for the constitutional amendment in parliament. In case parliament proceeds with the amendment, the petitioners request that the president of Pakistan be barred from signing it into law. 

The petition stresses the need to protect the judiciary's independence, powers, and jurisdiction, asserting that parliament does not have the authority to withdraw judicial powers or interfere with the judiciary’s functions.

Also Read: Details of all constitutional amendments revealed

The government's efforts to introduce the 26th Constitutional Amendment faced a setback in just the initial phase, as the federal cabinet meeting, where the amendments were to be approved, was postponed. Later, the sessions of both the National Assembly and the Senate, which had been called to especially table the amendment bill, were adjourned indefinitely. 

The postponement of the cabinet meeting was attributed to the government's inability to secure the backing of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Therefore, the government failed to move the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill in today's sessions of parliament. 

Also Read: Setback for constitutional amendments: Cabinet meeting postponed; NA, Senate adjourned indefinitely

Due to the setback, normal proceedings continued in the National Assembly where a three-point agenda was scheduled for discussion, according to the sources. The government has consistently faced disappointment in gathering enough support in parliament to get the crucial judiciary-focused constitutional amendments passed.

The ruling coalition parties, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), had directed their members to ensure their presence, hoping to table the amendments today. 

PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui has claimed that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the government have agreed to wait for a few more days before finalising their stance on the constitutional amendments that have shaken up the country's political scene.

Speaking to the media outside the Senate, the veteran politician claimed that Maulana Fazlur Rehman has not sought any time to decide about his support for the amendments, adding that he had only said the suggestions must be scrutinised in detail. 

The Maulana stated that, in principle, he agreed with several aspects of the amendments but would like to scrutinise the details himself as he had to face the people. 

Also Read: Govt's proposed amendments are dangerous: Omar Ayub

Irfan Siddiqui shared insights into their meeting from Sunday night, stating that Maulana's reaction was generally positive. Both the government and Maulana agreed to take a few more days to finalise their positions, allowing Maulana Fazlur Rehman to establish a well-informed stance.

"Maulana's reaction was positive during the 2-3 hours meeting. It is expected that he will review the specifics of the proposed amendments and provide his opinion in the coming days," he added. 

Siddiqui added that it could take around a week to 10 days for the constitutional amendments to move forward. He further declared that the sessions of the National Assembly and the Senate were likely to be postponed indefinitely.

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub appeared in the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in connection with the May 9 case registered at Cantt Police Station of Gujranwala.

Following his court appearance, Ayub addressed the media, where he voiced strong criticism of the government's proposed amendments to the Constitution.

Ayub called the amendments "dangerous," asserting that the government lacks the necessary support to push them through. "They don’t have enough numbers, so how can they proceed with such changes?" he questioned.

He further said that his party members were picked up, about which they even complained in the special committee meeting where, he added, even prominent political figures such as Bilawal Bhutto, Khursheed Shah, and Azam Nazeer Tarar were present.

"These people want to force these amendments at gunpoint, but it won’t happen," he stressed. Ayub also emphasized his faith in a higher power to prevent any wrongdoing, stating, "We are on the right path. God will create ways to stop them from doing wrong."

The draft of the proposed 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill has been unveiled, while the government struggles to garner enough support in parliament to introduce changes to various articles of the Constitution. 

The 31-page preliminary draft of the proposed bill consists of 56 points that propose amendments to 55 constitutional provisions. 

The sessions of both the National Assembly and the Senate were set to re-convene today, as the government continued its efforts to table crucial judiciary-focused constitutional amendments. However, in a setback, the federal cabinet's meeting scheduled for 10:30am today to approve the draft law on judicial reforms, has been postponed.

It is being said that the meeting was postponed as Maulana Fazlur Rehman refused to extend support to the bill. 

Following are the main amendments proposed to various articles of the Constitution:

- Article 48: The proposed amendment states that no court, tribunal, or authority will be allowed to inquire into the advice sent by the cabinet or the prime minister to the president.
  
- Article 63A: Under this amendment, a member's vote will be counted even if they vote against the direction of their parliamentary party.

- Article 78: A federal constitutional court is proposed to be established through this amendment. This court will handle constitutional matters.

- Article 175A: Judges of high courts and Shariat courts will be appointed by a commission headed by the chief justice of the Federal Constitutional Court. The commission will include two senior-most judges of the constitutional court, the chief justice of Pakistan, and two senior-most judges. 

Also Read: Setback for constitutional amendments: Govt postpones cabinet meeting

The law minister, attorney general, a senior advocate, and two members of the National Assembly and Senate will also be part of the commission.

- For the appointment of judges to the Federal Constitutional Court, the commission will include three additional judges of the constitutional court instead of the chief justice of Pakistan and judges of the Supreme Court.

- For appointments to the Supreme Court, the CJP will head the commission, as well as five Supreme Court judges.
  
- The chief justice of the Federal Constitutional Court will be appointed on the recommendation of an eight-member National Assembly committee, which will nominate one of the three most senior judges of the court. The prime minister will forward this recommendation to the president.

- The same committee of the National Assembly will recommend the appointment of the chief justice of the Supreme Court, which will nominate one of the three most-senior judges of the court for the position. The committee will send the name to the prime minister on whose advice the president will appoint the CJP. 

Also Read: ‘Constitutional package’: Haven't received draft yet, says JUI-F’s Haideri

- The first chief justice of the constitutional court will be appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister, while the appointments of first constitutional court judges will be made by the president in consultation with the chief Justice.

- Judges from all four provinces will have equal representation in the Federal Constitutional Court. 

- The term 'chief justice of Pakistan' will be replaced with 'chief justice of the Supreme Court'. Only Pakistani citizens can be appointed as judges of the Supreme Court or the Constitutional Court; no dual citizens are eligible.

- Judges of the Constitutional Court will retire at the age of 68.

- The tenure for a Supreme Court judge serving in the Constitutional Court will be three years. The term for the chief justices of both the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court will also be limited to three years. 

- The Supreme Court's power to take suo motu notice has been proposed to be transferred to the Federal Constitutional Court.

- The authority to hear the presidential reference will also be transferred from the Supreme Court to the constitutional court. 

- Article 187 of the Constitution will also empower the Federal Constitutional Court. Under this article, the Supreme Court is empowered to pass any order for complete justice. 

- Under the proposed amendments, the order issued under Article 187 is limited to the jurisdiction of both superior courts. 

- The consent of a judge is proposed to be withdrawn for transfer to other high courts. The transfer of a judge to another high court will be decided on the recommendation of the Judicial Commission. 

- All appeals related to constitutional interpretation will be transferred from the Supreme Court to the constitutional court. 

- All suo motu notices being heard in the Supreme Court will also be transferred to the constitutional court. 

- The cases of disputes between the federation and the provinces or between provinces will also be transferred to the constitutional court.

- Several provisions of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act are also proposed to be made part of the Constitution.

- Benches hearing appeals on suo motu notices will become a regular part of the Constitution. 

The government's efforts to introduce the 26th Constitutional Amendment faced a setback in just the initial phase, as the federal cabinet meeting, where the amendments were to be approved, has been postponed.

The postponement has been attributed to the government's inability to secure the backing of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Therefore, according to sources, it is unlikely the government will move the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill in today's sessions of parliament, which had been re-convened to especially table the bill. 

Due to the setback, normal proceedings continued in the National Assembly where a three-point agenda was scheduled for discussion, according to the sources. The sessions of both the National Assembly and the Senate resumed behind schedule and were later adjourned indefinitely. 

Also Read: Constitutional amendments: Senate, NA to re-convene today as govt struggles to convince Opp

The government has consistently faced disappointment in gathering enough support in parliament to get the crucial judiciary-focused constitutional amendments passed.

The ruling coalition parties, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), had directed their members to ensure their presence, hoping to table the amendments today. 

The federal cabinet was scheduled to convene today at 10:30am to approve the draft law on judicial reforms. Concerns raised by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman have cast a shadow over the government’s ability to secure consensus on these reforms. 

Also Read: Constitutional Amendment: National Assembly, Senate party position 2024

The Maulana has expressed dissatisfaction over what he termed as a lack of consultation and haste in drafting the constitutional amendments. He emphasized that it is preferable to consult all political parties before finalizing any draft. 

The government has made several attempts to convince the JUI-F chief to support the proposed amendments. Meetings between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and other senior leaders with Maulana Fazlur Rehman have so far yielded no results. Even Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari promised progress, but with little to show for it. 

The ruling alliance aka PDM 2.0 needs to have a two-thirds majority in the parliament to accomplish the constitutional amendment.  

On Sunday, both treasury and opposition legislatures indulge in the ‘political drama’ to woo the JUI-F supremo Maulana Fazulur Rehman’s crucial votes to pass the Constitutional Amendment from the Parliament.  

The rainbow coalition led by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz needed 224 votes to pass the constitutional amendment out of 336 members of the Lower House of Parliament, while in the Senate the required number stands at 64 out of 96 senators of total strength of the Upper House of the Parliament.

Party position

The treasury benches got 214 members against the opposition's 101 MNAs. To get the thing done, the PMLN-led alliance needs 13 more votes for the required constitutional amendment.

Party position in Senate

As per the Senate website, the ruling coalition strength stood 54 including at PPP (24), PML-N (19), BAP (4) and MQM-P (3). There are four independent senators.

Right now, the government eye 9 crucial senate votes to pass the constitutional amendment.

The opposition in the Senate stood at 31 including PTI 17 seats, JUI-F (5) and ANP (3). It is to clarify that BNP, SIC, MWM, National Party, and PML-Q have one seat each in the Upper House of the Senate along with an independent senator.

The sessions of both the National Assembly and the Senate will resume today at 12:30pm as the government continues its efforts to table crucial judiciary-focused constitutional amendments.

The ruling coalition parties, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), have directed their members to ensure their presence, highlighting the importance of the upcoming proceedings.

The federal cabinet will also convene today at 10:30am to approve the draft law on judicial reforms. However, concerns raised by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman have cast a shadow over the government’s ability to secure consensus on these reforms.

Maulana's hesitation

Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed dissatisfaction over what he termed as a lack of consultation and haste in drafting the constitutional amendments. He emphasized that it is preferable to consult all political parties before finalizing any draft. 

His objections have slowed down the government's mission to pass the reforms despite the apparent majority in parliament, particularly on World Democracy Day.

The government has made several attempts to convince the JUI-F chief to support the proposed amendments. Meetings between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and other senior leaders with Maulana Fazlur Rehman have so far yielded no results. Even high-profile figures like Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari have promised progress, but with little to show for it.

Inconclusive parliamentary sessions

The National Assembly speaker formed a special parliamentary committee to achieve consensus on judicial reforms. Initially composed of five members, the committee was later expanded with eight additional senators. Chaired by PPP leader Khursheed Shah, the committee has convened several times without reaching a breakthrough.

In a late-night meeting chaired by Shah and attended by Maulana Fazlur Rehman also, the draft was discussed but not finalized.

Despite a meeting of the National Assembly being called just before midnight, no action was taken, and the session was adjourned after the recitation of the national anthem.

Opposition’s demands

Both the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and JUI-F have demanded copies of the draft of the constitutional amendments before agreeing to support the government. JUI’s Abdul Ghafoor Hydari stated that his party will review each clause and decide on their stance only after receiving the draft.

Meanwhile, PTI’s Omar Ayub has accused the government and the PPP of playing political games without being transparent about the amendments. 

PPP's Khursheed Shah, head of the special committee, acknowledged that the draft is still being finalized and will be presented to the opposition only after cabinet approval. Abdul Ghafoor Hydari has warned the government that at least a month will be required to properly review the draft once it is provided.

The government's attempts to secure the necessary numbers in parliament for passing judicial reforms face continued challenges. As the sessions of both the National Assembly and Senate resume today, the focus remains on whether the government can finally bridge the divide and move forward with its reform agenda.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that the incumbent government was "not having the mandate to approve the constitutional package.”

Speaking exclusively to Samaa TV following the parliament sessions were postponed, Khan said: “In the in-camera briefing, all the things cannot be discussed. You [government] are not having the mandate pertaining to the judiciary. We want to hold talks on this.”

Khan stated: “We are having the question that on which topic do we have to discuss? What else do we talk with you [the government] without the constitutional amendment draft?”

“The special committee was constituted following the event that transpired on September 10,” said Khan.

“We demand the government to provide us with the draft,” the PTI chairman maintained.

– PTI looks for ‘breakthrough’ –

Earlier, Barrister Gohar said on Sunday that his party was still looking for "breakthrough" in line with putting the government to the test pertaining to the constitutional amendment.

Expressing his thoughts, Khan said: “There is nothing in the politics that is decisive. We are hopeful that Maulana Fazlur Rehman will stand by our side.”.

“We will continue to meet Maulana Fazlur Rehman,” said Khan.

The special committee ended after the parliament sessions were postponed pertaining to the constitutional amendment on Sunday night.

According to details, the meeting of the parliament's special committee, chaired by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stalwart Khursheed Shah had ended without any outcome.

Expressing his thoughts, Shah said: "No consensus has been reached yet in the meeting as the draft has not been presented yet."

"The committee meeting will be called again following the approval of the constitutional amendment draft from the cabinet," said Shah

– Govt, nation will get 'good news': Sanjrani –

Former Senate chairman Sadiq Sanjrani said on Sunday that the government and nation will get "good news".

Expressing his thoughts, Sanjrani said: "The government has informed us about the key clauses in line with the constitutional amendment bill. We will make the decision after the special committee meeting.

"It is premature to say anything about the matter," he said.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has revealed that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman did not support the government regarding the crucial constitutional amendments.

Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament House on Monday, Khawaja Asif commented on the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the passage of the constitutional amendment.

"It seems the numbers were not complete," Asif stated. "I was present in the National Assembly since morning, so I am unaware of the details. However, the legislation did not pass due to insufficient numbers."

Mr Asif's remarks followed growing speculation over the delay in legislative proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Senate and National Assembly sessions, which were convened to deliberate on the constitutional amendments, have been postponed until 12:30 PM tomorrow. The reason for the delay remains unclear.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government's proposed constitutional amendments have recently been revealed with several key points emerging including changes to judicial procedures and structural reforms.

However, a notable omission is the amendment to extend the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, a proposal that had been anticipated.

Sources privy to the matter said that the proposed amendments will encompass several critical areas. Among these, the establishment of a constitutional court is highlighted, alongside a fixed procedure for the removal of judges.

RELATED: NA session on constitutional package delayed again

The proposed constitutional amendments include several key points:

• Establishment of  constitutional court: This court will handle cases related to constitutional matters. It is proposed that cases under Articles 184, 185, and 186 will be adjudicated in this court, with appeals from its decisions also heard there
  
  
• Removal procedure for judges: The amendments will detail a standardised process for the removal of judges, aiming to bring clarity and consistency to the procedure
  
  
• Restoration of 19th amendment's appointment process: The amendment concerning the appointment of judges, previously omitted in the 19th amendment, will be reinstated
  
  
• Transfer of high court judges: The draft also includes provisions for the transfer of High Court judges
  
  
• Amendment of Article 184: A proposal to amend Article 184(3) concerning suo motu notice is included
  
  
• Reorganisation of judicial appointments body: The draft suggests merging the Judicial Commission and the Parliamentary Committee to form a new committee
  
  
• Ad-hoc judges: An amendment to Article 181 will facilitate the appointment of ad-hoc judges

The proposed changes also reflect an effort to streamline the judicial system and enhance its efficiency. For instance, the creation of a constitutional court aims to centralise the handling of constitutional cases, potentially reducing delays and increasing clarity in the adjudication of such matters.

The federal cabinet and both houses of Parliament were scheduled to meet today to discuss and potentially approve the constitutional amendments. However, both the National Assembly and the Senate sessions have faced delays.

Read also: CJP tenure extension dropped as govt accepts Fazl's proposal

The ruling coalition, comprising the Muslim League (N), PPP, and MQM, has instructed their members to remain in the capital to ensure quorum for the legislative sessions. PPP sources noted that MNA Nafisa Shah was advised to stay in Islamabad, despite her plans to celebrate her father’s birthday in her hometown.

It is noteworthy that the retirement age for Supreme Court judges is proposed to be set at 68 years. This change, along with other amendments, is expected to be formally presented to the National Assembly shortly.

Additionally, Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq recently established an 18-member special committee to address the Charter of Parliament. This committee, which includes 12 government and 6 opposition members, will work on proposals, including those related to the amendments discussed today.

The parliamentary sessions in connection with the tabling of the "constitutional package" were postponed till Monday after the long delay and meetings of the political stakeholders.

According to details, the National Assembly session had been postponed till 12:30 pm tomorrow. Meanwhile, the upper house session will be held at 11:30 am after the revised schedule.

The meeting of the special committee was held during which Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) President Abdul Aleem Khan, Sherry Rehman, Anoushay Rehman, Rana Tanvir, and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and others were present.

Expressing his thoughts, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) supremo Maulana Fazlur Rehman had said that the nation will get "good news".

Earlier, the federal cabinet's meeting, which was slated to be held at 3:00 pm, had not started.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had directed its lawmakers to ensure their attendance in both the sessions of the Senate and National Assembly. In this regard, PML-N parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, Khawaja Asif, had issued the letter to the PML-N’s lawmakers.

Meanwhile, PML-N parliamentary leader in the Senate, Irfan Siddiqui, had also issued a letter to the PML-N senators to ensure their presence in the upper house of the parliament.

On the other side, the role of JUI-F supremo Maulana Fazlur Rehman in connection with the approval of the “constitutional package” is quite important. In a bid to ensure that the JUI-F chief will greenlight the constitutional amendment, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi had a meeting with the former on Saturday.

Read Also: Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with Fazlur Rehman on the cards: sources

Following the meeting of the government’s delegation, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led delegation had also reached the residence of Rehman. According to the sources, the PTI leaders had also taken up the matter of the constitutional amendment with Rehman, but refused to address the media.

Read Also: Parliament House takes center stage in political landscape

For the constitutional amendment, the government needed the two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. This means that the incumbent government needed the support of 13 more lawmakers. In other words, the PM Shehbaz-led government needed 224 votes out of 336 to get approval over the constitutional package.

Read Also: PTI looks for ‘breakthrough’, hopes Fazlur Rehman will extend support

211 of the lawmakers are sitting on the government bench, out of which 110 are from the PML-N, 68 from the PPP, and 22 from the Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

Four of the lawmakers from the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) each, one each from the Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and National Party (NP) are also part of the government’s bench.

On the other side, the government needed the support of nine lawmakers in the Senate.

Pakistan Constitution of 1973 has been amended 25 times so far. Now the ruling alliance is bringing 26th Constitutional amendments into the Parliament — National Assembly and Senate — in the name of judicial reforms.

The first Amendment was enacted on 4 May 1974 which redefined the boundaries of Pakistan and removed references to East Pakistan after the separation of Bangladesh.

The second amendment was enacted on 17 September 1974 defined who is considered a Muslim and declared the status of Quadianis as a minority and non-Muslim.

On Feb 18th, 1975, the third amendment extended the period of preventive detention while the fourth amendment was enactment on 21 November 1975, allocated additional seats for minorities, and removed the power of courts to grant bail to persons detained under preventive detention.

On 5 September 1976, the Fifth Amendment was enacted and expanded restrictions on the powers of the High Courts. The 6th amendment was enacted on 22 December 1976 that set retirement age limits for judges — Supreme Court judges retire at 65 while  High Court judges retire at 62.

The 7th Amendment enactment on 16 May 1977, allowed the Prime Minister to seek a vote of confidence from the people.

The 8th amendment enactment on 11 November 1985, changed the government structure to a semi-presidential system and granted additional powers to the President.

The 9th Amendment proposal in 1985 aimed to impose Shariah law as the supreme law of Pakistan. It is to clarify the bill was passed.

On March 25, 1987, the tenth amendment was enacted to fix the maximum interval between National Assembly sessions at 130 days.

Interestingly, the 11th amendment proposal date proposed in 1989, sought to revise reserved seats for women in the National and provincial assemblies. This is to clarify that the amendment was withdrawn.

In 1991, twelve amendments established Speedy Trial Courts for three years while the 13th Amendment enactment in 1997, removed the President’s power to dissolve the National Assembly and dismiss the Prime Minister.

The 14th amendment enacted on 3 July 1997, allowed dismissal of members of parliament if they defected from their party.

The 15th Amendment in 1998 sought to impose Shariah law as the supreme law of the land. It is to clarify the Fifteenth Amendment was not passed.

In 1999, the 16th Amendment extended the duration of the quota system from 20 to 40 years.

The 17th Amendment enacted in 2003 amended provisions related to the office of the President and reversed some changes from the 13th Amendment.

The 18th amendment enacted on 8 April 2010 removed the President's unilateral power to dissolve Parliament granted more authority to provinces and renamed the North-West Frontier Province (NEFP) to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The 19th Amendment that enacted on 22 December 2010, regulated the appointment of Supreme Court judges and changed the composition of the parliamentary committee responsible for appointing the Chief Electoral Officers.

The 20th amendment enacted on 14 February 2012 focused on ensuring free and fair elections while the 21st amendment on 7 January 2015, established military courts for speedy trials in the aftermath of the APS Peshawar attack.

The 22nd Amendment enacted on 8 June 2016, empowered the Chief Election Commissioner and redefined the structure of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

On January 7, 2017, the 23rd constitutional amendment re-established military courts for two more years until 6 January 2019.

The 24th amendment enacted on 22 December 2017 reallocated National Assembly seats based on the provisional results of the 2017 Census of Pakistan and allowed boundary updates for constituencies.

The 25th amendment, enacted on 31 May 2018 merged the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).

The 26th Amendment increased the National Assembly seats to 12 and of the provincial assembly to 24 of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas enacted on 13 May 2019. The constitutional amendment was passed by NA in May 2019 but was not passed by the Senate.

It is pertinent to note that the current constitutional amendment would be called be amendment if passed from Parliament. 

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders "outraged" during the parliamentary party meeting in Islamabad over the decision to postpone the rally originally scheduled for August 22.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan on Monday warned of nationwide protests if Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa is granted an extension through constitutional amendments.

Speaking from Adiala Jail -  where he is currently detained - Khan expressed his vehement opposition to any such move, stating that it would lead to unrest across the country.

"Any attempt to amend the constitution to extend the tenure of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa will be met with fierce resistance. I will not hesitate to call for nationwide protests," Khan said during his interaction with journalists.

He further lamented the current state of affairs, claiming that Pakistan’s situation is worse than that of Bangladesh. "In Bangladesh, the army did not turn its guns on its people. The same should hold for Pakistan; the people are already simmering with discontent."

Former premier accused the current government of manipulating the constitution, stating that the law is being bent to serve political interests. He directed his party to prepare for a street movement, drawing parallels to the rule of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, alleging that her government-controlled key institutions to suppress opposition.

Referring to the crackdown on PTI following the May 9 incidents, Khan claimed that his party had been systematically targeted. "Our leadership was either jailed or forced into hiding.

This was a calculated move to weaken our party ahead of the elections," he said, adding that despite these efforts, PTI remains a formidable force with significant public support.

Khan also took a jibe at the failure to implement Supreme Court decisions, particularly regarding the allocation of reserved seats, stating that this is a blatant violation of the constitution.

He warned that continued disregard for the judiciary's rulings would compel him to launch a mass movement.

"I was initially hesitant to call for protests, considering the fragile state of the economy. However, the current government’s intentions to secure a two-thirds majority and potentially extend the tenure of the Chief Justice have left me with no choice. The people are no longer afraid; they are ready to take to the streets, even if it means facing imprisonment or worse," he declared.

Adviser to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah has underscored the need for respecting opposing opinions in politics and a functional judicial system that can hold individuals accountable for their actions.

Speaking on the Samaa News program ‘Mere Sawal’, he highlighted the shortcomings of Pakistan’s judicial system, citing the lack of punishment for those involved in the May 9 incidents.

The adviser compared Pakistan’s judicial process unfavorably with that of England, noting that punishments there are delivered swiftly, whereas, in Pakistan, delays are common, with lawyers sometimes failing to appear for weeks.

He argued that the justice system’s sluggishness contributes to a broader crisis of accountability.

Rana Sanaullah also pointed out that the May 9 events had external influences, alleging involvement of enemy intelligence agencies and stressing the need for thorough investigations by the Supreme Court.

He suggested that if necessary, amendments to the constitution or military courts might be required to address the situation effectively.

The adviser stressed that the Supreme Court should take charge of investigations and, if necessary, amend the constitution to ensure justice is served. He also suggested that the apex court should also decide about the military.

The PML-N leader expressed frustration that individuals and institutions are not taking responsibility for their actions, instead trying to do each other's work. He criticised the lack of accountability and suggested that if the judiciary and other institutions do not perform their roles adequately, the problems facing the nation will persist.

He stressed the importance of all state pillars fulfilling their responsibilities to resolve these issues and ensure justice.

Independent Senator Faisal Vawda declared on Sunday that Parliament will stand against the Supreme Court's decision regarding reserved seats, asserting the legislative body's authority in constitutional matters.

Speaking on Samaa TV's program "Mere Sawaal" Vawda emphasised that while the judiciary's role is to interpret the constitution, any amendments or changes fall under Parliament's jurisdiction.

"Parliament is not a rubber stamp," Vawda stated, "We will defend the constitution and stand against the decision."

The senator outlined a four-phase process involving the Election Commission, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Parliament, and the President of Pakistan. He highlighted that the Speaker has constitutional immunity and can exercise significant authority, while the President also holds considerable powers in this context.

Vawda criticised the Supreme Court's ruling, suggesting it has introduced ambiguity into the constitution, complicating its interpretation and application.

He expressed concern over the lack of a robust accountability system, lamenting the absence of a punitive framework that he believes is necessary for national improvement.

"This country is in a tragic state; without a system of punishment, no progress can be made. We've handed the country to players, and democracy's funeral has been held," he remarked.

The senator's comments come amid ongoing debates over the balance of power between Pakistan's judiciary and legislature, raising questions about the future of constitutional governance in the country.

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto stressed on Sunday the inevitability of judicial reforms and the urgent need for politicians to come together to tackle the nation's challenges.

Speaking at a seminar in Lahore regarding the Bhutto reference, Bilawal Bhutto stressed the PPP's adherence to most aspects of the Charter of Democracy, with only judicial reforms remaining unaddressed.

 He acknowledged the government's endeavours to introduce constitutional amendments for judicial reform and emphasized parliament's pivotal role in leading such initiatives.

Bilawal Bhutto lamented the deterioration of politics in Pakistan into personal animosity, where dissenting views are disregarded.

He underscored the PPP's dedication to democratic progress and expressed concern over the reluctance of politicians to collaborate, which impedes effective problem-solving.

Reflecting on the PPP's contributions to Pakistan's constitutional framework, including the Constitution of 1973 and the 18^th Amendment, Bilawal Bhutto reiterated the party's willingness to take necessary steps for systemic improvement.

The former foreign minister stressed the imperative for politicians to prioritize national interests over personal agendas, advocating for a departure from divisive politics.

Bilawal Bhutto highlighted the PPP's resilience in the face of criticism during election campaigns, noting the subsequent adoption of similar approaches by other governments as evidence of the party's success.

 He urged politicians to transcend self-interest and focus on collective efforts towards Pakistan's betterment, rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric.

PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui has revealed plans for a series of constitutional amendments once the coalition government, led by his party, comes into power.

In a special conversation with Samaa TV, Senator Siddiqui outlined key changes, including the abolition of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and caretaker governments through constitutional amendments. 

Senator Siddiqui emphasized the importance of protecting the local government system and restoring articles 62 and 63 to their original form. He indicated that these amendments are part of the coalition government's agenda to address pressing issues within the constitutional framework.

Furthermore, Senator Siddiqui highlighted the immediate priority of seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the first step upon assuming power. This move suggests the government's commitment to addressing economic challenges and stabilizing the country's financial situation.

Expressing optimism, Senator Siddiqui also spoke about his expectations from President Asif Ali Zardari, stating that the PPP leader could play a crucial role in ending political polarization. His remarks reflect the coalition government's intent to foster cooperation and unity among political stakeholders for the betterment of the country.

As the PML-N prepares to assume power, these proposed constitutional amendments and strategic initiatives signal the government's commitment to enacting meaningful reforms and addressing critical issues facing Pakistan.