The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) staged a walkout from the first session of the joint parliamentary standing committee on law and justice, convened to discuss the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment.
Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani had referred the bill to the committee for review. During Saturday’s in-camera session, JUI-F National Assembly member Aliya Kamran expressed concerns over Article 243, the re-inclusion of provisions from the 26th Amendment, judicial authority between the Supreme Court and the proposed Federal Constitutional Court, and the growing number of advisers. She said the party would oppose amendments to Article 243 and criticised measures that, in her view, offered little public benefit.
Following her remarks, JUI-F members walked out. The committee adjourned until 11 am Sunday to resume deliberations. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the boycott was the party’s democratic right, adding that the draft had been shared with all parties and opposition suggestions were welcome.
On the Federal Constitutional Court, Tarar noted the issue has been under discussion for 15–20 years and previous attempts during the 18th and 26th Amendments were blocked by JUI-F opposition. He said about 60 percent of the draft was discussed, with members’ questions addressed during the session.
The 27th Amendment bill had earlier been presented in the Senate, with the Law Minister briefing senators before it was referred to the law and justice committees of both the Senate and National Assembly for detailed review, following parliamentary procedures
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