Islamabad, September 14,2024- The chief of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), Akhtar Mengal, has claimed that two of his party’s senators are being “pressurised” to vote in favour of a proposed constitutional package that seeks to fix the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) at three years.
Mengal alleged that Senator Muhammad Qasim’s house was raided, and intelligence agencies’ cars have been patrolling his residence in Karachi. Similarly, he claimed Senator Nasima Ehsaan’s relatives and husband were being pressured, with threats of property confiscation. Mengal criticized the government’s approach, stating, “No formal communication took place,” adding that the government was using force to push through the legislation.
Earlier PTI leader Asad Qaiser accused the government of using intimidation tactics to force lawmakers into supporting the constitutional package. During National Assembly session former Speaker highlighted that PTI MNAs had been receiving threats to support the legislation, a claim made just before police detained PTI leaders following the party’s Sept 8 rally.
Qaiser urged the Deputy Speaker to intervene, stating that lawmakers were being lured with offers in return for support.
The constitutional amendment is expected to be tabled in the Parliament today (Saturday), with both houses meeting in a back-to-back session. Passage of the amendment requires an open ballot, making it difficult for lawmakers to conceal their votes.
Opposition parties, including BNP-M, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), have warned their members that they could face unseating from Parliament if they support the package.
PTI declares constitutional amendment bill illegal
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also expressed concerns, calling the bill illegal as it had not been approved in a cabinet meeting. Gohar pointed to Rules 16 and 27 of the Rules of Business, arguing that the bill had not followed the necessary parliamentary procedures. “There was no cabinet meeting to approve the bill, nor was it on the agenda,” he told reporters, deeming the legislation in violation of the Constitution.
The government is making every effort to secure the crucial 224 votes needed for the constitutional amendment.
While it remains unclear if the ruling coalition has the required two-thirds majority — 224 votes out of 336 in the National Assembly — the government is reportedly short by at least a dozen votes in both houses. However, the Shehbaz Sharif-led administration appears optimistic, with efforts underway to win over lawmakers from the opposition and smaller parties.
Rumours suggest that some PTI-allied members may defect, while the government is also actively courting JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Should he lend his support, the government would secure a majority in the Senate but remain just short in the National Assembly. Despite the opposition’s attempts to enforce party discipline, the outcome remains uncertain.
