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LATE NIGHT CABINET’S MEETING RESCHEDULED AS CONSENSUS ‘REACHED’ ON 26TH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT Sunday, 20 October, 2024 I | 16 Rabi ul Sani, 1446
Sessions of both NA and Senate adjourned till afternoon after multiple delays
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ISLAMABAD
SALEEM JADOON
OLLOWING numerous meetings, rigorous efforts and hectic politicking on Saturday, the treasury and the opposition parties claimed to have reached a consensus as Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar announced that the federal cabinet will hold another sitting at 2:30pm today to review and approve the final draft of ‘much-touted’ 26th Constitutional Amendment. “In today’s session of the federal cabinet, we presented draft approved by special committee,” said the law minister addressing a press conference at Parliament House along with
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Bilawal, Mengal, PTI leaders hold back-to-back meetings with Maulana Fazl
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar late Saturday night. It is to be noted that the federal cabinet meeting saw multiple delays which was initially scheduled to begin early Saturday. Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led federal cabinet was held which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, IPP's Awn Chaudhry and leaders of the allied parties. Azam Tarar informed that the cabinet members were briefed over the changes in the proposed draft. He went on to say that the federal cabinet would give a go-ahead to the final draft after making modifications recommended by the special commit-
tee — which comprises the treasury and the opposition lawmakers. The federal minister announced
Speaking at a joint press conference with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari in Islamabad on Saturday, Fazlur Rehman said, "After extensive consultations, Bilawal and I are here to update you. The consensus reached on the constitutional amendment bill by PPP and JUI-F was first shared during a press conference in Karachi. We then discussed it with the leadership of
PML-N in Lahore, leading to further consultations." He explained that the initial draft of the amendment was rejected due to concerns raised by opposition parties. "The government agreed to withdraw all the contentious sections we objected to, paving the way for consensus. At this stage, there are no major disputes between us, and most of the contentious issues have been resolved," Fazl noted.
Fazl hopeful of consensus on constitutional amends after PTI input today ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has requested time until tomorrow (Sunday) to finalise its stance on the constitutional amendment. He added that after receiving their response, the bill will be presented in parliament for consensus approval.
CJP Isa seeks clarification from SC staff on second clarification on reserved seats ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa on Saturday sought an explanation from Supreme Court staff following the release of a second clarification by eight judges in the reserved seats case without submitting the original case file. The CJP has directed Deputy Registrar Mujahid Mahmood, Assistant Registrar Shahid Habib, and Webmaster Asim Javed to explain how the clarification was published on the court’s website without following standard procedure? “How was the clarification issued without submitting the original file?” Justice Isa questioned in a notice sent to the concerned staff members on Saturday. According to sources within the Supreme Court, the Deputy Registrar and Assistant Registrar have been officially notified and asked to provide details regarding the procedural lapse. The court has also requested a response from Webmaster Asim Javed regarding the incident. ON Friday, eight Supreme Court judges issued a second clarification concerning their decision on reserved seats, stating that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) must implement the court’s ruling, despite amendments to the Elections Act, 2017. The court had ruled in July that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was entitled to the seats reserved for women and minorities, a decision that was challenged after the government amended the election law. However, the bench reaffirmed that these changes cannot override the original ruling.
Ruling coalition has lost establishment’s backing, claims Sheikh Rashid RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Former federal minister and Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed claimed on Saturday that horse-trading had been started ahead of the proposed constitutional amendment as both the sell-outs and bidders were negotiating the prices. Speaking to reporters outside the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), Ahmed claimed that the ruling coalition had lost the support of all-powerful establishment, adding that soon people would hear the complaints of the government after its ouster. Expressing displeasure over conduct of the government on the occasion of recently concluded Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) summit in Islamabad, he said a curfew was imposed in the capital due to which people were unable to celebrate such a high-level summit in country after a long time “Islamabad was completely shutdown for five days,” he bemoaned. Speaking about the proposed constitutional amendment, he lauded Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for standing tall during the whole process of consultations on constitutional amendment, adding that currently he couldn’t predict anything regarding the passage of the amendment. He said he would also visit the JUI-F chief soon.
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that the next cabinet session will be held at 2:30pm today (Sunday) while Senate’s session is scheduled
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Mengal alleges two of BNP’s senators ‘abducted’, PTI claims seven party members ‘missing’
for 3pm. If approved by the federal cabinet, the draft will likely be tabled in both houses of parliament scheduled for today. Meanwhile, the National Assembly Secretariat notified that today’s session will be held at 6pm. The National Assembly session rescheduled for 9pm also began shortly after the Senate session only to be adjourned till 11.30am today (Sunday). According to a statement by the NA on its X account, yesterday’s session of the lower house of the parliament was adjourned till 3pm today. The Constitutional package is not part of the NA agenda, which was shared on X. NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq later
changed the time for the assembly session to 7pm from 3pm. It was again later changed for the third time to 9:30pm. The NA session began around 11:50pm. It was shortly after adjourned for 11:30am on Sunday by Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah. On the other hand, the Senate session, chaired by deputy chairman Syedal Khan Nasar, kicked off on late Saturday night but it was adjourned for half an hour till 12.30 am. The Senate session, initially set to resume at 12:30pm, was delayed to 3pm, then to 6:30pm and then for a fourth time to 8pm, according to notifications issued by its secretariat.
the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, but we seek to develop a broader consensus in the National Assembly and the Senate.” The minister said that the primary objective of the amendment is to establish the supremacy of Parliament, which guarantees the Constitution of the country. “We want to put an end to the encroachment on Parliament and ensure that the
supremacy of this forum, as promised by the Constitution of Pakistan, is upheld,” he added. Kh Asif further said that all political parties unanimously agreed that the supremacy of Parliament must not be compromised. He said that elected representatives have the authority to legislate for the welfare of the public, and the minority should not impose its decisions on the majority.
Despite ‘other options’ govt desired to pass amendments with consensus: Ministers ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif on Saturday stated that that the government, ‘despite having the magic numbers,’ striving to pass the 26th Constitutional Amendment with a broader consensus. Speaking to the media outside the Parliament, he said, “We have the required numbers for
Imran backs consultations with Fazl on constitutional package: Gohar
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Party chairman says Khan named four party members to be part of ongoing parleys with JUI-F ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Saturday said that the incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan instructed the party leaders to continue consultations with Jamiat Ulema-eIslam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on the proposed constitutional amendments. Speaking during a press conference flanked by other PTI leaders, Barrister Gohar said: “We held discussion over the amendments with the PTI founder and he has asked us to continue deliberations as it is very sensitive matter.” The PTI chief comments came after an “inconclusive” meeting with party founder on the constitutional amendments in Adiala jail. Barrister Gohar said that Khan also named four party members to accompany for consultations with the JUI-F chief as “we want that I should form my opinion on a broader consensus and give further direction”. Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Omar Ayub, Leader of the Opposition in Senate Shibli Faraz, Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Ahmed Bhachar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur will join the PTI chairman for talks with JUI-F, the party chief said. The development comes a day after the special parliamentary committee — comprising government and opposition members “unanimously approved” the draft for 26th constitutional amendment. Muttahida Qaumi Movement-
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LHC bars ECP from final verdict on PTI intra-party polls case LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Farooq Sattar claimed that PTI had principally agreed on the draft but the party had reservations on some points. However, Gohar had said that consultation on the fourth draft shared by the government was underway, adding that they would make final decision on the constitutional package after meeting Khan. Gohar began the presser today by speaking about the PTI founder’s health, jail conditions and the lack of facilities, saying that he was in good health, however, claimed that there was no electricity in the jail for five days. During the meeting, Barrister Gohar said, they apprised the PTI founder about the ongoing consultations with Fazl over the proposed judicial package. The jailed party founder termed the talks with Fazl positive and directed them to continue holding consultations with the JUI-F, he added. “We will continue to negotiate with Maulana Fazl. This type of legislation is not acceptable and we
condemn this method as it is unconstitutional and undemocratic,” he said. Gohar said that they informed the JUI-F chief that the party will not be in a position to vote until the PTI founder gives clear instructions on the matter. “We have not agreed to anything at this point.” Adiala jail admin gives clarification Giving clarification after Gohar’s presser, Adiala jail administration said the PTI founder is provided with all B Class facilities in the prison as per the law. “The PTI founder’s diet, health, study including exercise are given special attention,” said the jail admin, adding that there is uninterrupted power supply at Adiala jail. The administration mentioned that a inmate cook has been provided to the PTI founder to prepare his food. The admin added that the PTI founder is given curry, desi chicken, youghurt, chapati, mutton, soft drink salad, and green tea in lunch.
A full bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) restrained the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from a verdict on the intra-party election case of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). The development comes the five-member LHC bench, led by Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza heard two separate petitions filed by the PTI and its chairman Barrister Gohar Khan against the commission’s orders for an inquiry into its intra-party polls and nonallotment of electoral symbol “bat”. The written order said that the ECP requested to adjourn the case. The court restrained the Election Commission from taking a final decision on the PTI intra-party election. The court order further said that the Assistant Attorney General should submit a written statement at the next hearing. Later, the court adjourned the hearing till December 13. The petitions raised objections to the ECP’s jurisdiction to hold an inquiry into the intra-party’s polls. It also objected to the failure to return the items seized during a raid on the PTI office by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The petitions pointed out that the ECP’s behaviour was biased and arbitrary orders were being issued. They requested the court to set aside the decision of the ECP for being illegal. The ECP had instructed the PTI to approach the competent court of law for the return of files, computers, hard drives, etc. seized by the FIA. The commission had also rejected a plea of the PTI to stay the proceedings of intra-party election matter till announcement of a detailed judgment by the Supreme Court in the reserved seats case.
Canada puts Indian diplomats on notice over alleged criminal acts OTTAWA
STAFF REPORT
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Friday put the last of India’s diplomats in the country “on notice” that Canada will not tolerate any more criminal activity on its territory. The warning follows the expulsion earlier this week of six Indian diplomats after Canada’s national police force said there is ample evidence of murder and extortion by agents in Canada operating on orders from New Delhi. India’s high commissioner was among those kicked out of Canada after he was identified as a person of interest in the June 18, 2023, assassination of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
India has hotly denied the charges and it ordered six Canadian diplomats to leave the country. But Joly said evidence shows that New Delhi has used criminals in Canada for violent acts, including the targeting of Sikh separatists who want to carve out a Sikh state in India. “There was definitely a threat and that’s exactly why the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) decided to take the extraordinary measure of making public the fact that Canadians were being intimidated, victims of extortion or even (received) death threats because agents and diplomats from India were linked to these criminal actions,” Joly said at a news conference in Montreal, reported the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. “We’ve never seen that in our history. That level of transnational repression cannot happen on Canadian soil.”