All eyes on Maulana Fazlur Rehman as success of constitutional amendments hangs in balance

Maulana Fazlur Rehman may win a lot of seats or not a lot, but his political importance stays intact.

Senator of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Irfan Siddique has said that constitutional amendments cannot be passed without Chief Jamiat-e-Ulema Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s cooperation.

Appearing on the Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada kay Saath’, Siddiqui stated, “As soon as Maulana Fazl is satisfied, the constitutional amendments will be tabled.”

Responding to Rehman’s concerns over the constitutional amendments, Siddiqui cleared, “Maulana had no objection to the constitutional court or formula of appointment of judges.”

In opposition, speaking to journalists following a meeting with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaisar in Islamabad, Maulana Fazlur Rehman remarked, “They (opposition parties) completely rejected the government proposed amendments draft.”

Interestingly, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is still hopeful of winning Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s confidence for the judiciary-centric legislation.

Appearing on the Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk,’ Asif said, “Fazl is a shrewd politician, and we will definitely find a resolution.”

Meanwhile, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, said that he couldn’t comment on anything regarding the JUIF stance.

Speaking to journalists at Adiala jail Rawalpindi on Wednesday, he remarked, “All political forces have to unite for democracy. If Maulana is standing with democracy, it is a good thing.”

To pass the controversial constitutional amendments, the incumbent government lacks thirteen votes in the National Assembly (NA) and nine in the Senate.