Nawaz, Bilawal discuss constitutional tweaks for second time in three days

**ISLAMABAD:** Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari discussed the political landscape and progress on proposed constitutional amendments during a recent phone call. The two leaders, representing two of Pakistan’s largest political parties, have connected twice in three days—first at a meeting on Thursday and later via phone on Sunday.  

During their conversation, Bilawal briefed Nawaz on ongoing negotiations between the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and the PPP regarding the proposed amendments. They also discussed efforts to build consensus among political parties on the 26th constitutional amendment.  

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser reached out to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over the phone. Qaiser posted on *X* that Fazl expressed support for PTI's demand to provide medical care and access to a personal physician for former Prime Minister Imran Khan in jail. Fazl also requested PTI to postpone its planned October 15 protest, citing the importance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.  

Qaiser noted that there was alignment between PTI and JUI-F on key aspects of the constitutional amendment draft and announced that both parties would meet on October 17 for further discussions. He assured Fazl that PTI leadership would consider his suggestions before making a final decision.  

### Constitutional Amendments and Government Consultation  
The proposed amendments, among other things, aim to establish a federal constitutional court and limit the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to three years. However, the government’s initial attempt to present the bill last month faced resistance from both allies and opposition members, prompting the PML-N to begin broader consultations.  

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal also engaged with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to secure their support for the constitutional package. In a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, MQM-P linked its support to amendments empowering local governments, particularly changes to Article 140-A.  

On Sunday, Ahsan Iqbal visited the MQM-P headquarters in Karachi to discuss these amendments. At a joint press conference with MQM-P Convener Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Iqbal assured that the local government amendment bill would be addressed after the constitutional package was passed. He emphasized that no democratic party could oppose the package and promised to initiate development projects in Karachi while taking steps to recover missing MQM-P workers.  

### JUI-F's Proposed 26th Amendment  
JUI-F has publicly shared its draft of the 26th Amendment, proposing the elimination of all forms of *Riba* (usury) from state institutions and private entities by January 1, 2028. The draft also suggests establishing constitutional benches in the Supreme Court and high courts, regulating the appointment and reappointment of services chiefs, and repealing the 19th Amendment in favor of restoring parts of the 18th Amendment related to judicial appointments.  

The amendment further proposes that bills introduced in provincial assemblies or parliament be forwarded to the Council of Islamic Ideology for review.  

### Bilawal’s Clarification on the Amendment Process  
In a post on *X*, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari dismissed concerns that the 26th constitutional amendment was being rushed. He emphasized that the idea of a constitutional court had been advocated by Justice Dorab Patel alongside renowned human rights activists Asma Jahangir and I.A. Rehman.  

Bilawal stressed that the PPP approaches constitutional changes carefully, unlike authoritarian regimes or judicial overreach. He also paid tribute to Justice Patel, one of the judges who opposed the judicial execution of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. “He believed there was insufficient evidence to convict Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and refused to endorse the judicial murder,” Bilawal wrote.