Nawaz and Bilawal Discuss Proposed Constitutional Amendments

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) President Nawaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation on Sunday to discuss the current political landscape, focusing on proposed constitutional amendments. This marks their second contact in three days, following an earlier meeting on Thursday.

During the conversation, Bilawal updated Nawaz Sharif on the progress of discussions between PPP and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) regarding the amendments. Both leaders also explored the broader consensus among political parties on the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

Bilawal emphasized that the 26th Amendment is not being rushed, noting it has been long overdue. He referred to Justice Dorab Patel, who had initially proposed the concept of a constitutional court, a vision supported by human rights advocates Asma Jahangir and I.A. Rehman.

In a post on social media platform ‘X’, Bilawal reiterated the need for federal and provincial constitutional courts. He criticized those who undermine Pakistan’s political evolution and emphasized that constitutional reforms are achieved through generational efforts, unlike the arbitrary changes made by dictators or judges in the past.

Bilawal further highlighted that it took 30 years to restore much of the true spirit of the 1973 Constitution through the 18th Amendment, and nearly two decades to address the damage caused by the 19th Amendment and the judicialization of politics by former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Asad Qaiser, in a separate post on ‘X’, disclosed that he had spoken with JUIF Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who called for providing medical care to Imran Khan in jail. He also mentioned a meeting between PTI and JUIF scheduled for October 17 to discuss the draft constitutional amendments further.

Separately, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQMP) have begun discussions on local government reforms as part of the broader constitutional package. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal assured MQMP of cooperation on their local government amendment bill after the constitutional package is approved.

JUIF has also shared its draft of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which includes significant proposals, such as the elimination of Riba (interest) by 2028, the establishment of constitutional benches in the Supreme Court and High Courts, and revisions to the laws governing the appointment and extension of service chiefs.