ISLAMABAD: Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui confirmed on Monday that the government’s plan to introduce constitutional amendments has been “postponed indefinitely.”
This decision follows the government’s inability to secure the necessary support for the proposed amendments, despite multiple meetings with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Importantly, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif disclosed that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, did not support the government on key constitutional amendments.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament House on Monday, Asif commented on the uncertainty surrounding the passage of the amendments.
“It seems the numbers were not complete,” Asif remarked. “I’ve been in the National Assembly since morning, so I’m not fully aware of the details. However, it appears the legislation did not pass due to insufficient votes.”
Asif’s comments followed growing speculation about delays in the legislative process.
Meanwhile, both the Senate and National Assembly sessions, which were scheduled to discuss the constitutional amendments, have been postponed until 12:30 PM tomorrow, with the reason for the delay still unclear.
Earlier, Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced that the nation could expect positive news as he arrived to attend a special committee meeting, delayed due to the postponement of parliamentary sessions.
The special committee meeting included prominent figures such as Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) President Abdul Aleem Khan, Sherry Rehman, Anoushay Rehman, Rana Tanvir, and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, among others. Meanwhile, the National Assembly session, set to discuss a “constitutional package,” had also been postponed.
The federal cabinet meeting, originally scheduled for 3:00 pm, had not yet started, with sources indicating it would begin soon. Similarly, the Senate session, which was to commence at 4:00 pm, was rescheduled for 10:00 pm.
In preparation, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) instructed its lawmakers to attend both Senate and National Assembly sessions. PML-N parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, Khawaja Asif, and PML-N parliamentary leader in the Senate, Irfan Siddiqui, issued directives to ensure party members’ presence in both houses.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s role is pivotal in the approval of the “constitutional package.” To secure his support for the constitutional amendment, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi met with the JUI-F leader.
