PPP rejects claims of constitutional courts ‘U-turn’, joint draft in progress
MNP – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has rebutted claims that it and other parties are withdrawing from discussions on establishing constitutional courts.
Addressing the media, PPP senior leader and former National Assembly speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf clarified that consultations among political parties are still underway and that a joint draft will soon be presented.
Earlier, a special parliamentary committee, chaired by PPP’s Syed Khurshid Shah, convened on Thursday to deliberate on the draft of the 26th amendment.
According to insiders, the government and JUI-F are preparing a joint draft in consultation with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman will present the final draft to the PTI leadership, with discussions reportedly in the final stages.
The meeting, which lasted several hours, concluded with the committee agreeing to reconvene on Friday after prayers.
MQM-P’s endorsement
Dr Farooq Sattar – a leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P) – informed reporters outside the Parliament that a broad consensus had been reached on the constitutional amendment. “There is agreement on almost every major point,” Sattar remarked.
Similarly, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman confirmed that her party and JUI-F have aligned on the draft, further noting that progress is being made on the broader coalition’s stance. Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar echoed this optimism, stating that “very good news” was imminent.
Meanwhile, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui hinted at a breakthrough, expressing confidence that the committee would soon finalize the amendment. “There was productive dialogue today, and most parties, including the PML-N, are on board with the draft,” he noted.
