Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to defer its protest until the conclusion of the forthcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled for October 15 and 16.
During his interaction with journalists in Tando Allahyar, Fazl, who had been an ally of the ruling coalition, said that the government was ready to remove the contentious points from the proposed draft of the constitutional amendment bill.
“We had rejected the government’s draft [about constitutional tweaks],” he said, adding, “The things we rejected have been withdrawn.” The JUI-F leader was of the view that the government’s proposed amendments would weaken the judiciary and undermine human rights.
After fresh changes, both the parties are now near to reach a consensus, he added.
“We are not in the assembly to pass a law against the interest of the people,” said the JUI-F leader.
Stressing the need for national consensus over the matter, Fazl said he would hold meetings with PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, and the leadership of PTI.
"Why is the government in such a hurry?" said the JUI-F leader, citing that the 18th Amendment took nine months to pass the parliament.