On Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss potential constitutional amendments. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have decided to retract their earlier proposal to establish constitutional courts.

During a special parliamentary committee meeting, chaired by Khursheed Shah, discussions focused on the 26th constitutional amendment draft. Sources revealed that the governing coalition, along with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), agreed to drop the proposal for constitutional courts, instead reaching a consensus to form a constitutional bench.

The meeting concluded with the government and JUI-F deciding to consult Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on a joint draft. JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman will present the finalised draft to PTI leadership, signaling that the amendment process is nearing completion.

However, Barrister Saif, the Information Advisor for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), announced that PTI will strongly oppose the proposed constitutional amendment through both legal and political channels. Saif accused the current government of being “illegitimate” and claimed that it is trying to alter the constitution “secretly” without public input.

PTI’s political committee has decided to resist the recent constitutional amendments and hold a nationwide protest on Friday.

The parliamentary committee is scheduled to reconvene after Friday prayers to continue discussions on the draft.

Earlier in the day, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) amendments to the 26th constitutional draft, which were related to local government powers and funds, were discarded. The ruling parties, PML-N and PPP, successfully convinced MQM to withdraw their proposed amendments. However, MQM’s suggestions will be considered in the 27th constitutional amendment, and the party has expressed agreement with the government’s position.