ISLAMABAD: The ruling coalition on Monday made another attempt to convince JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on its proposed ‘Constitutional Package’ when the latter arrived at the Presidency to take part in a multi-party moot on the Palestine issue.

The veteran politician found himself in an awkward spot after top leaders of the coalition surrounded him at the event, apparently to seek his support for the passage of the constitutional amendment. Only two days ago, Maulana Fazl was given an amended draft of the proposed amendment.

Before the start of the conference, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held a separate meeting with the Maulana, which lasted over half an hour.

Sources said leaders of the ruling alliance tried to prevail upon the JUI-F chief to ensure that his lawmakers vote for the proposed amendment in both houses of parliament so that the coalition could achieve the two-thirds majority required for the passage of a constitutional amendment.

In the house of 336 members, the government has 214 votes. It needs 10 more votes in the NA to meet the required threshold. JUI-F has eight votes in the NA and five in the Senate. Even if it wins over the Maulana, it would still be a few votes short.

Media reports suggested that Mr Sharif, who later proceeded to Murree, also held a one-on-one meeting with the Maulana, which sources in the government described as being ‘quite significant’. However, there was no official word on this.

Meanwhile, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui told Dawn that PPP Chairman Bilawal had presented an amended draft of the constitutional package to Maulana Fazl.

He said the draft was prepared in light of Maulana’s demands and recommendations. “We believe Maulana will now have no objections as the draft was revised according to his demands,” the senator said.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2024