Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has stated that there are alternative options available for the approval of constitutional amendments. He made these remarks during an informal conversation with journalists ahead of the cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Sunday.
He maintained that all preparations for the amendments had been finalised. The minister added that while the government’s priority is to move forward with consensus on the constitutional amendments, they are prepared with other options if needed.
A National Assembly session is scheduled for 6 pm today, during which the draft of the constitutional amendment is expected to be approved.
According to sources, cabinet approval of constitutional or legal bills is a legal requirement, and the meeting has been convened for this purpose.
Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has stated that discussing constitutional amendments with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is ‘a waste of time.’
In a statement, Azma Bokhari said that no institution other than the parliament has the authority to interpret the constitution according to its own preferences, and the establishment of the constitutional court is being carried out according to the Charter of Democracy.
She further remarked that when a PTI delegation went to Adiala Jail to discuss constitutional amendments, their leader spent 45 minutes complaining about his grievances, media reported.
According to Azma, the PTI founder is seeking an NRO (deal) in exchange for constitutional amendments, which he will not get.
The information minister added that even after spending a year in jail, the PTI leader’s mindset remains that of a disruptive group’s ringleader. She criticised him for calling those individuals traitors, whom he had relied on to become the prime minister.
She also pointed out that revolutions are not brought about by drinking coconut and beetroot juice in jail. She further said many PTI members are fed up with the founder’s anti-state activities, and he wishes for another event like May 9, which will not be allowed to happen.
Azma Bokhari concluded by stating that the Supreme Court’s role goes beyond merely issuing decisions or explanations, and while reaching a consensus on constitutional amendments is a good step, she believes that engaging with PTI on the matter is simply a waste of time
