LAHORE: A crucial meeting of Pakistan’s top political leaders took place at Jati Umra, with claims of a major breakthrough on the 26th Constitutional Amendment. Key figures from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) attended the meeting, where they expressed confidence in securing the necessary votes for the amendment’s approval in parliament.
The gathering, hosted by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, included Maulana Fazlur Rehman of JUI-F, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. According to insider reports, Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif first held discussions with senior leaders of their own party before holding consultations with Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
The meeting was pivotal in addressing internal disagreements. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, accompanied by a delegation, conveyed his concerns to the Sharif brothers, who reassured him that his reservations would be resolved. This paved the way for an agreement on the final draft of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which had been a point of contention between the parties.
Sources revealed that the PPP’s proposed draft for the constitutional amendment received broad approval during the discussions. The meeting also included an in-depth review of the vote count in both the National Assembly and the Senate. Participants were briefed on how to secure the support of other coalition partners, such as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), to ensure the bill’s passage. In order to guarantee the required attendance during the parliamentary session, party leaders were assigned the task of mobilizing their members.
It is expected that the joint draft will be presented in the National Assembly on October 18, 2024, during a scheduled session. The gathering also included strategic discussions on how to coordinate with allied parties to push the amendment through both houses of parliament.
In addition to Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif, other notable attendees included Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and the Attorney General, who provided legal insight into the amendment process. PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also played key roles in advancing the discussions, while Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s concerns were methodically addressed to cement the coalition’s agreement.
This meeting marks a significant moment in Pakistan’s political landscape as it aims to secure the required votes for the amendment, which could potentially shape the future of the country’s legislative framework. The leaders left the meeting confident that their united front would lead to a successful passage of the amendment, signalling a new phase of political cooperation between the three major parties.
The bill’s success now hinges on the upcoming parliamentary session, where all eyes will be on whether the coalition can deliver on their claims of having a solid number game.
