The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) has officially declined to support the government in establishing a constitutional court, proposing instead the formation of a bench to handle constitutional matters.
During a special committee meeting on constitutional amendments, the JUI presented its proposed draft.
Senator Kamran Murtaza highlighted that the only difference between the drafts presented by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and JUI lies in the terminology of “constitutional court” versus “bench.” He stated, “We have no objections to the rest of the PPP’s draft and hope both parties can soon agree on a joint draft.”
Discussions on the drafts occurred in the committee meeting, where both the PPP’s and JUI’s proposals were reviewed. Senator Murtaza emphasised that JUI’s 24-point draft serves as a counter to the government’s 56-point proposal.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman has once again become a focal point for political meetings. JUI leaders expressed their preference for the Supreme Court to form a constitutional bench, arguing that with approximately 200 constitutional cases pending, establishing a new constitutional court is not practical. Instead, they advocate for creating specialized benches within the Supreme Court to address these matters.
PPP leader Sherry Rehman echoed the need for consensus, stating, “Building consensus is a hallmark of the Peoples Party. Nothing is perfect, including constitutional amendments. Efforts are being made to enhance transparency within the amendment process.”
Following the conclusion of the special committee meeting, consultations on constitutional amendments took place at Zardari House, attended by notable figures including Naveed Qamar, Murtaza Wahab, and Senator Kamran Murtaza.
