Islamabad, October 20,2024- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has reaffirmed its decision not to vote in favor of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman stating, “We have broken the black snake’s fangs and removed its venom.” PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, during a joint press conference with Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad, emphasized that PTI will not support the amendment.
Speaking at the press conference, Maulana Fazlur Rehman thanked PTI for its stance, acknowledging that not participating in the voting is the party’s right. He added, “There may still be some reservations, but overall, we have neutralized the threat, and PTI has agreed on the main text. There are no disputes left on that front.”
When asked by a journalist about the “black snake’s venom” reference, Maulana Fazlur Rehman brushed off the query, saying it would take too long to explain. He further elaborated that PTI’s leadership had shared their grievances about their workers facing arrests and violent suppression during protests, which may have contributed to their decision to abstain from the voting process. “If they choose not to participate in the voting as part of their protest, it is within their rights,” he said.
Despite the disagreements, Fazlur Rehman acknowledged that there is no fundamental difference over the main draft of the bill. He noted that negotiations had been ongoing for a month, with media coverage highlighting the seriousness of the process. Referring to the historical context, he said, “The Constitution of Pakistan was created in a challenging environment, and even though there were differences, the 18th Amendment was passed with consensus between the government and opposition.”
Fazlur Rehman also criticized attempts to link constitutional amendments with judges’ tenures and appointments, stating, “This is an insult to the constitutional process. Why bring personalities into it? Personalities come and go, but the Constitution remains.”
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar also expressed his gratitude to Maulana Fazlur Rehman, acknowledging his role in the amendment process and stating, “We will continue our relationship with Maulana Sahib. Today, we had lengthy consultations with him, and we appreciate his patience and leadership.”
Barrister Gohar reiterated PTI’s principled stance on the matter, condemning the intimidation of PTI MNAs and Senators. He stated, “We cannot support this bill and will not participate in the voting. Our decision is made in consultation with the founder of PTI, Imran Khan.”
The PTI Chairman made it clear that the party will not vote on the amendment and will not be part of the legislative process for this bill.
