Senate session underway amid attempts to bring consensus on constitutional amendment
Pakistan
A nine-point NA agenda does not currently include the constitutional amendment
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Senate session finally started after the delay of several hours while the political huddles were in full swing in Islamabad to bring consensus on the constitutional amendment.
However, the National Assembly session is yet to start.
At the same time the federal cabinet meeting, originally scheduled to be held at 9:30am, was rescheduled. The meeting is expected to focus on the approval of the constitutional amendment draft.
The Senate and the National Assembly sessions were rescheduled a couple of times. The National Assembly session was expected to be held at 9:30pm.
Earlier, it was rescheduled to be held at 7pm due to delay in the federal cabinet meeting.
It is anticipated that the constitutional amendments will be introduced for approval in both houses.
A nine-point agenda for the National Assembly has been released, which does not currently include the constitutional amendment.
If a consensus is reached, it will be brought forward as a supplementary agenda item.
Sources indicated that a motion to suspend the regular agenda for the constitutional amendment would be proposed.
According to the agenda, the Legal Aid and Justice Authority Amendment Bill will be submitted for approval, along with a notice regarding irregularities in the collection of General Sales Tax.
Also Read: Govt has required numbers to pass constitutional amendment: Khawaja Asif
A notice addressing the failure of Pakistan Railways to timely pay employees' monthly salaries is also included in the agenda.
LAST-DITCH EFFORTS TO FORGE CONSENSUS
Saturday was a hectic day from political perspective as the two sides - ruling coalition and opposition parties - held meetings to forge consensus on the significant issue.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed that the government had the required numbers to pass the 26th constitutional amendment.
Speaking to media outside Parliament House, he said the ruling coalition was bringing the amendment only for the supremacy of parliament. He dispelled the impression that members of opposition were being ‘abducted’ to get their votes for the amendment.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar expressed hope that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman would play his role in bringing consensus on the constitutional amendment.
Tarar, who was flanked by PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi, told media that the process of political consultation was under way and the government was trying to develop a consensus on the proposed amendment.
He said participation of all political parties in the consultation process was the "beauty of democracy".
On the other hand, a high-level delegation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf called on Jamiat Ulema-e-Isalm chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence.
PTI bigwigs informed the Maulana about the meeting with incarcerated party founder Imran Khan.
Read More: Govt trying to bring consensus on constitutional amendment, says Atta Tarar
Barrister Gohar, Ali Zafar, Salman Akram Raja and Hamid Raza were among the PTI delegates that came to meet Fazlur Rehman on the Saturday evening.
Hours earlier, a PPP delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House. According to sources, the final draft of the proposed 26th constitutional amendment came under discussion.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE APPROVES DRAFT
A special parliamentary committee had earlier approved the draft. An immediate cabinet meeting was called which was adjourned without any approval.
On Friday, constitutional amendments' draft could not be presented in either chamber.
