PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari urged the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and opposition parties to support the proposed constitutional package. He warned that if they do not cooperate, he would use the “brute majority” of the government to push through the amendments. Earlier, he claimed that a consensus had been reached on the issue.
The Constitutional Package outlines a series of constitutional amendments, including an extension of the chief justice’s term. A special parliamentary committee formed last month represents all parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The committee has discussed various proposals, and the PPP publicly released its draft on October 11. Following that, the PPP and JUI-F reached an agreement on a shared draft of the amendments.
In a rally in Hyderabad, Bilawal reiterated his commitment to working with the opposition. He expressed his desire to enact this legislation collaboratively, emphasizing the importance of unity in lawmaking. He stated, “I am going to Islamabad and making a last effort to compel the opposition parties to come and vote together.”
Forum for Equal Representation
However, he warned that if the opposition continued to resist, he would be forced to proceed with the PML-N and other allied members, utilizing their majority to push the amendments through. Bilawal stressed the necessity of forming a forum for equal representation. He stated that if the opposition closed its doors to dialogue, he would reluctantly take a controversial path, which he had always tried to avoid.
Bilawal raised concerns about the potential political instability this could create. He asserted that such a route would cast doubt on the integrity of the constitutional amendments and the constitutional bench itself. The PPP leader emphasized that the party could no longer afford to wait or make further compromises. the chairman expressed his intention to present the PPP’s draft in the National Assembly and rally support from all parties to pass it.
He made it clear that the PPP would pursue the amendments through the government’s two-thirds majority if necessary. He reiterated the demand for a federal constitutional court with equal representation, echoing the sentiments of the 18th Amendment, which was achieved through consensus.
Bilawal urged all political parties to see this as a critical moment. “This is a test for political parties,” he stated. “We did everything possible to reach an agreement. I compromised on many demands; what more can I do?” He conveyed his urgency for the amendments to be enacted quickly, emphasizing that he did not want to proceed without the opposition’s involvement.
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Two Possible Paths
He outlined two possible paths before him. He noted that the government could introduce the bill with their support, despite the opposition’s absence. Alternatively, if consensus was still elusive, he expressed a willingness to push the PPP’s draft forward unilaterally.
Bilawal’s plea resonated with a call for cooperation: “I am saying with my hands held together: don’t force us to go on this path.” He pledged to return to Islamabad that night to meet with Fazl, requesting his final support for the PPP’s draft.
He appealed to the opposition to consider the future of Pakistan’s political landscape. “This is the last opportunity for all political parties: come to your senses. The legislation should be based on consensus,” he urged.
Earlier, Bilawal reported progress in discussions with the JUI-F and PML-N. He indicated that they reached a consensus and expressed optimism about passing the constitutional package. However, he acknowledged the challenges that allegations of harassment against opposition lawmakers posed. Opposition members claimed that someone employed intimidation tactics to secure votes for the amendments.
As the political landscape evolves, Bilawal’s call for unity and cooperation remains pivotal in shaping the future of Pakistan’s governance.
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