The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced plans to stage a nationwide protest against the proposed 26th constitutional package on Friday.
PTI announcement comes just a day after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) and the Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) reached a consensus on the joint draft of the controversial judicial package.
PTI’s political committee released a statement on Wednesday opposing the constitutional amendments. The party has directed its regional and local organizations to organize peaceful protests against the government’s push for these amendments.
In its efforts to thwart the government’s initiative, PTI has vowed to block the passage of the proposed amendments in both houses of parliament. The constitutional package in question proposes the establishment of a federal constitutional court and sets a three-year tenure for the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP).
The coalition government’s attempt last month to pass this guarded package failed amidst speculations about extending CJP Qazi Faez Isa’s tenure. The attempt faltered when Maulana Fazlur Rehman of JUI-F withdrew his support, leaving the amendments in limbo.
Earlier today, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja supported the JUI-F’s draft of the constitutional package, praising it on Geo News’ program Capital Talk. According to Raja, the JUI-F’s draft, which proposes establishing a constitutional bench in the Supreme Court to handle constitutional matters, is the correct approach. Raja suggests this bench should consist of the five senior-most judges of the Supreme Court.
Addressing the potential impacts of the proposed changes, Raja mentioned his discussions with various political parties, hinting that, thanks to Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s influence, the effects might not be as detrimental as the ruling coalition hopes.
Raja criticized the PML-N-led government’s intentions, accusing them of wanting to create a new court to appoint a CJP of their choosing. “We will do our utmost to ensure the constitution is not undermined,” Raja asserted.
He also referenced the Charter of Democracy signed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif in 2006, noting a divergence from its objectives in the current political manoeuvres.
