Senator Irfan Siddiqui: No Constitutional Package Without Maulana Fazl’s Involvement

Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui stated that constitutional amendments cannot proceed without the support of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Siddiqui’s remarks followed Fazl’s outright rejection of the “controversial” constitutional package intended to reform Pakistan’s judicial and parliamentary systems.

Siddiqui noted that Fazl did not specify his disagreements with the draft and emphasized that any amendments would require his backing. “Fazl believes that constitutional changes should not be rushed,” he remarked, mentioning that there are at least five different drafts circulating in the media and expressing hope that Fazl’s version aligns with the government’s.

He expressed concern over the absence of the necessary “magic number” of votes to advance the amendments, which he expected would be met with Fazl’s cooperation, although he described this as a matter of “credulity.” The timeline for introducing the amendments has not yet been established, but Siddiqui suggested they could be tabled in September or October, stating, “As soon as Maulana Fazl is satisfied, the constitutional amendments will be presented.”

The government has been pushing the proposed package amid speculation regarding a potential extension for Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, who is due to retire in October. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) recently requested an early notification for the appointment of the next chief justice.

Despite efforts by the ruling coalition, including multiple meetings between PML-N and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders and Fazl, they have not succeeded in gaining his support. Although the government claimed to have secured the necessary votes to pass the bill, it ultimately failed to table the amendments in parliament, leading to an indefinite postponement, as confirmed by Siddiqui.

The proposed amendments reportedly include legislation to extend Chief Justice Isa’s tenure and raise the retirement age for judges. Currently, the government is short 13 votes in the National Assembly and nine in the Senate to pass these changes.

Interestingly, the traditionally rival PTI and JUI-F found common ground after the February 8 general elections, expressing shared concerns over alleged electoral manipulation. Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser hosted a luncheon for Fazl in Islamabad, attended by other PTI lawmakers, where Fazl reiterated his complete rejection of the government’s proposed draft, stating it had been shared selectively.