PTI claims 'seven govt MNAs' to vote against amendments to Constitution

**ISLAMABAD:** Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced on Thursday that seven members of the National Assembly (MNAs) from the coalition government would oppose the proposed constitutional amendments.

"The government only has the numbers on paper. It neither consulted its members nor responded to their concerns due to fear," PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan told *Geo News*. 

He claimed to have received credible information about the refusal of seven treasury MNAs to vote in favor of the amendments. “They said they won’t support the amendment even at the risk of disqualification,” he added, noting that the lawmakers felt voting for the proposal would go against their conscience.

Gohar speculated that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari might also be aware that some of his party members were unwilling to back the amendment.

The statement came as the Special Committee of Parliament met again on Thursday to discuss the government's proposed constitutional amendments.

**Special Committee Meeting Developments**  
Khursheed Shah, chairman of the special committee, disclosed that the meeting on the 26th constitutional amendment was called at the request of PTI Chief Whip Aamir Dogar. The proposed amendments aim to establish a federal constitutional court and limit the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to three years.

The government had previously tried to table the amendment bill, but opposition from coalition partners and opposition members forced the administration to initiate further consultations. The government now requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament, facing a reported shortfall of 13 votes in the National Assembly and nine in the Senate.

**Opposition Voices and Allegations**  
Speaking to journalists, Opposition Leader Omar Ayub claimed the government was using coercive tactics against those resisting the amendments. "PTI leader Zain Qureshi’s wife was abducted, and family members of several MNAs were taken. There was even a raid on my house," he alleged. Ayub also said Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) members had been threatened but had not yet endorsed the government’s proposal.

Despite these challenges, Senator Irfan Siddiqui expressed optimism, calling the day a “positive development” toward consensus on the amendments. Meanwhile, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar affirmed his party's support for the government’s judicial reforms, emphasizing that the ongoing dialogue was in Pakistan’s best interest.

**Draft Completion in Two Days**  
After the meeting, Khursheed Shah told the media that the constitutional amendment draft would be finalized within two days. He criticized PTI members Gohar and Ayub for not submitting their own draft, saying, "They don’t have a mandate." Shah also accused PTI of instigating student protests to disrupt the process.

The PPP leader added that the PTI had informed the committee about the alleged abduction of its members, and the issue would be raised with the National Assembly speaker.

Gohar confirmed that the government presented a third version of its draft during the meeting, shifting its focus from creating a constitutional court to establishing a constitutional bench. However, he said, "The government’s draft is still incomplete."

**Protests and Political Consensus**  
PTI announced nationwide protests on Friday to oppose the proposed constitutional package. “The PTI political committee has resolved to resist these amendments,” read the party’s statement issued on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, key political figures, including the Sharif brothers, Asif Ali Zardari, and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, reached a consensus on judicial reforms during a late-night meeting at the Sharif family residence in Lahore.

Following the meeting, Maulana Fazl told the media that further consultations would take place, and PTI’s input would be considered. However, he reiterated his party’s earlier rejection of the initial amendment draft.

"If we engage in detailed discussions, both the Constitution and the country will be protected," Fazl said, stressing the importance of resolving major issues through dialogue.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari thanked Maulana Fazl for his efforts, noting that PPP and JUI-F were already aligned on the amendments. "Our goal is the supremacy of the Constitution through judicial reforms that ensure timely justice," he said, adding, "At the right time, we will pass the amendments through both Houses of Parliament."

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the agreement on judicial reforms, expressing confidence that consensus on the remaining amendments would soon follow.