A source close to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) environs on Friday said that an understanding with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman over the 26th Constitutional amendment in the Constitution is almost complete. The decision will be taken after consulting PTI’s founder, Imran Khan.
After the high-level meeting in Islamabad with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Barrister Gohar shared the progress of the discussion with the media while elaborating on the near-unanimity of proposed amendments. He said nearly all PTI-JUI-F progress in negotiations was constructive and facilitated a firm foundation for an agreement.
“We are having very productive discussions. Once we have our internal decision, we will present it to Imran Khan for guidance. We would like to meet with him soon so he can approve,” Barrister Gohar said. This statement implied that though the parties were on the verge of a deal, the final position still depended on the instructions of Imran Khan.
Discussions included amendments that would serve to shape the political framework of Pakistan. The 26th Constitutional Amendment presents some of the critical areas in the governance process so that it can grant the same constitutional provisions to the evolving needs of the state. To be sure, the minute details of the amendments have not been publicly released, but this has been accompanied by a new momentum in the dialogue, a beautiful collaborative effort between the political factions.
Barrister Gohar has identified the role of the Special Parliamentary Committee in these negotiations. Aamir Dogar, PTI’s representative, and the delegates from JUI-F have played a significant role in the drafting of amendment proposals ratified by the committee. This collaboration in drafting amendment proposals has opened up negotiations between PTI and JUI-F on one platform.
Adding a pinch of mystery to the political deliberations, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari came for some time and left. Barrister Gohar explained that while Bilawal greeted the participants, there was no discussion of the draft amendment between him and the PTI team.
“Bilawal Bhutto came at the time when we were just concluding our talk with Maulana Fazlur Rehman. He exchanged greetings with all those present and, though the setting was amicable, still no discussions about the amendment were held with him during his two-minute sojourn,” Barrister Gohar revealed.
This meeting alone suggests that the political scenario is pretty fluid and that the PPP is also observing the development taking place regarding the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
Key political figures are claimed to have attended the PTI delegation meeting with Maulana Fazlur Rehman. The key figures include Omar Ayub, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, and Sahibzada Hamid Raza. It defined the fact that PTI is serious about finding a mutually amicable adjustment with JUI-F.
On the other side, Bilawal Bhutto came to the dialogue with PPP leaders Naveed Qamar, Murtaza Wahab, and Jameel Soomro. JUI-F top leaders Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and Maulana Attaur Rehman discussed with Bilawal Bhutto separately after a delegation from PTI completed their negotiation process.
It is simultaneously a watershed moment in Pakistan’s political discourse because PTI and JUI-F seem to be trying to work out the much-hyped amendments. Both parties, it seems, are keen on finalizing a deal that actually would contribute to the country’s law-making and governance.
Barrister Gohar is hopeful about the outcome and says, “After we meet Imran Khan tomorrow, we will come to a position where we can declare publicly what stance we will take about the amendment. Discussion with Maulana Fazlur Rehman has brought him closer to developing an understanding of common lines”.
The 26th Constitutional Amendment is most likely to alter Pakistan’s political system to a significant extent by changing the major governance structures existing in the country. The amalgamation between PTI and JUI-F reflects the bigger policy to create an all-inclusive environment in the country’s political system.
Political analysts believe that a successful agreement on this amendment may pave the way for greater stability and unity among Pakistan’s political parties. Important leaders like Imran Khan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari are actively engaging in these negotiations since they are of utmost importance to Pakistan’s democratic process.
This will most likely have implications for the future political structure of the country, given that Pakistan will be monitoring the outcome of these meetings. Consultation is still ongoing, but there is much interest in a meeting with Imran Khan, which could turn the tide regarding the 26th Constitutional Amendment saga.
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