ISLAMABAD: In the past two days, particularly on Sunday night, there was a flurry of activity in the federal capital as the government sought to secure the necessary support to pass a constitutional package. This proposed package includes various amendments to the constitution, such as the establishment of a Constitutional Court.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party remained vigilant in preventing the government from approving the constitutional package from the Parliament.
The central hub of these political maneuvers was the residence of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Both the government and PTI leaders were engaged in efforts to win his support.
At present, it appears that PTI has succeeded in securing Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s backing against the government. However, according to sources familiar with the negotiations between the JUI (F) and the government, the situation could still take a dramatic turn.
While the media largely focused on the content of the proposed constitutional package, sources close to the negotiations suggest that significant changes at the top level may happen as part of efforts to ensure the passage of the constitutional package.
These sources indicate that one potential change could involve JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman assuming the office of President.
It is worth noting that the previous PDM government had promised the presidency to Maulana Fazlur Rehman after the general elections. However, he felt betrayed when Asif Ali Zardari, the PPP Co-Chairman, assumed the presidency. Sources suggest that Maulana Fazlur Rehman might once again be offered the presidency to win his party’s support in the parliament house.
Separately, sources also mentioned that a change in the Prime Minister’s House cannot be ruled out in the coming days. These sources indicated that PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is furious with the government’s handling of matters.
Nawaz Sharif returned to Lahore after the government failed to table the constitutional package. During his meeting in Islamabad, the PML-N President repeatedly criticized the Prime Minister and other government officials for their approach and expressed frustration over the government’s failure to take concrete action against the PTI and its founding Chairman, Imran Khan.
It is worth mentioning that Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar at a news conference had announced a potential ban on the PTI and the invocation of Article 6 against PTI leadership. Nawaz Sharif, according to sources, is distressed over the government’s lack of action towards that end as well.
In view of this, the sources further claimed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif might leave the office and he is likely to be replaced by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. This would fulfill Asif Ali Zardari’s longstanding aspiration to see his son become Prime Minister.
