ISLAMABAD, OCT 20: The ruling coalition government is highly optimistic about getting the much-anticipated 26th Constitutional Amendment passed in parliament as the draft of the judicial package was approved by the federal cabinet on Sunday.

The ruling coalition is set to table the proposed judicial reforms in the Senate and the National Assembly in today’s sessions.

After numerous political twists and turns, the government and opposition members agreed on a joint draft of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

However, the politicos continued to hold consultations on the constitutional tweaks till late Saturday night, with uncertainty regarding the tabling of the draft due to severe opposition from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The coalition government was initially set to present the legislation yesterday but decided to defer it at the request of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman who said that his party would be able to cast its votes in favour of the 26th constitutional amendment after receiving a response from the PTI.

The former ruling party has time again expressed concerns over the prospective judiciary-oriented legislation provisioning a fixed three-year term of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), establishment of constitutional benches, restructuring of the Supreme Judicial Council, and the formation of a Special Parliamentary Committee which will suggest names from amongst the three most senior judges of the apex court for the CJP’s appointment.

Today, the parliamentary committee of PTI announced boycotting the voting process but soon backtracked as Chairman Barrister Gohar said that the party lawmakers would go to the [parliament] floor.

However, later, while speaking to journalists along with Fazl, PTI Chairman Gohar said that his party would not vote for the proposed constitutional amendment in the parliament.

‘Cabinet made excellent decision’: PM
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, after the federal cabinet’s go-ahead, hailed the decision as a major achievement for Pakistan’s development and progress.

“The cabinet has made an excellent decision for the development, prosperity and the betterment of the country’s overall situation,” said the PM while addressing the cabinet session.

He congratulated the nation on the approval the 26th Amendment, emphasising that it was made in the larger national interest.

He also reiterated the government’s commitment to public welfare and the constitutional integrity of the country. “By the grace of Allah, after stabilising the economy, we have now crossed a milestone for constitutional stability and the rule of law in Pakistan,” he said.

Looking ahead, the premier assured that the government would continue working diligently for the country’s development, prosperity, and stability in line with the promises made to the people, he affirmed.