Govt’s vague constitutional amendments leave Hafiz Hamdullah puzzled

ISLAMABAD: The government's lack of transparency on the proposed constitutional amendments, which has stirred a controversy, has left Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Hafiz Hamdullah puzzled.

"What type of amendments are these that the ministers, cabinet, friends, and opposition [alike] are not aware of? The government is not sharing the original draft of the constitutional amendments," Hamdullah said during Geo News programme "Geo Pakistan". 

Regarding the government's efforts to convince JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman for backing the legislation in the House, he said that everyone in the government was awaiting Maulana's decision.

Fazl has refused to support the government's proposal to extend judges' tenure or increase their retirement age, leaving the government-proposed constitutional amendment package in limbo.

This development has created a major hurdle for the ruling coalition as the JUI-F has eight seats in the National Assembly and five in the Senate, a significant number that can help the government achieve the magic number.

Hamdullah said legislation should be made only in the country and its citizens' interest. He also said neither the opposition nor allied parties knew what the amendments contain precisely.

"If the constitutional amendments are being made in the nation’s interest then why is it being hidden? Do the amendments aim to make the judiciary independent or control it?” he asked.

Nevertheless, the JUI-F leader said his party would give its verdict if the government shared the amendment draft with them. Yet, he said, his party was against the proposal of extending judges’ tenure.

“Why are you in so hurry? Tell us, what’s coercing you about it? Why do you want to bring the amendments in a secret way? Are we some herd?” he said, questioning the secrecy.

'Attack on entire system'

Meanwhile, PTI leader Waleed Iqbal termed the proposed constitutional amendments an attack on the judiciary’s independence as well as the entire system.

“Without a doubt, the government is proposing the amendments to draw out its tenure,” he said. He expressed amazement over Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) supporting the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for the amendments.

Since it was a serious matter, therefore, a debate should be held in the parliament over it, he said.