Deliberations to continue, says PM Sharif
On 17 September, after the government failed to gather support for its proposed constitutional package, PM Shehbaz Sharif revealed that deliberations and consultations with “all political parties” on the matter will continue. He stated this during a meeting with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and his delegation. Among other issues, proposed amendments to the Constitution were also discussed in detail at this meeting. Addressing the criticism leveled against the proposed constitutional package, PM Sharif highlighted that the parliament is constitutionally empowered to make laws and carry out amendments. He also stressed that these amendments are geared towards ensuring “swift and effective delivery of justice to the people.” These remarks from the prime minister come amidst the failure of the government to introduce the proposed amendments in the parliament on the second consecutive day. Hence, the government is now looking to table the proposed amendments in the next session of the National Assembly and building prerequisite consensus among stakeholders. 

Additionally, sources told The Express Tribune that after the failed attempt to secure the support of Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for the proposed constitutional package, a publicly embarrassed PML-N is set to double its efforts to ensure Rehman’s support. 

Violation of the Constitution and the independence of the judiciary, say the lawyers
On the same day, calling themselves “members of the legal fraternity,” 25 lawyers released a signed public statement, terming the constitutional package an “unprecedented proposed assault on the Constitution, the Supreme Court and the High Courts in the form of a purported ‘judicial package.’” Further, the statement called the government’s move a “violation of the Constitution and the independence of the judiciary” which the lawyers categorically rejected. Interestingly, the lawyers’ statement also described the parliament as one that “lacks people’s mandate.” Vowed to uphold the “Constitution of Pakistan and the rule of law”, the statement stressed that the lawyers will recognize Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah as Chief Justice of Pakistan effective from 26 October 2024. They will also not accept the newly proposed “Federal Constitutional Court” or any other changes geared towards the judicial system and its bodies. Separately, some prominent lawyers, including Abid Zuberi, Shafqat Mehmood Chauhan, Shahab Sarki, Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan, and Munir Kakar have filed a petition in the Supreme Court urging the apex court to declare the proposed constitutional amendments “unconstitutional” and bar the government from taking it forward. The petition argues that the proposed amendments are in contravention of the “principles of separation of powers and judicial independence, which are fundamental to the Constitution of Pakistan.”

New amendments would destroy the country’s future, says Imran Khan
On the same day, in an expected move, Imran Khan has claimed that the proposed constitutional amendments are geared towards keeping him incarcerated. Speaking to journalists outside Adiala jail, Khan said “New amendments would destroy the country’s future.” He also claimed that the incumbent government was afraid of the judiciary and thus “they have decided to destroy the judiciary.” In this regard, he stated “current rulers are afraid of the Supreme Court, therefore, they want to constitute a [separate] constitutional court.” Further, Khan alleged that the judiciary centric amendments were proposed “to hide election fraud.

References
“Consultation on constitutional amendments to continue: PM,” The Express Tribune, 17 September 2024
“Proposed constitutional amendment challenged in Supreme Court,” The Express Tribune, 16 September
“Lawyers sign public statement against Constitutional Package,” Dawn, 16 September 2024
Shabbir Dar, “Amendment aimed at keeping me in jail: Imran,” The News International, 17 September 2024
Ansar Abbasi, “Another bid to woo Fazl to be made after legislative embarrassment,” The News International, 17 September 2024