ISLAMABAD: Akhtar Mengal, leader of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), has alleged that two of his party’s senators are being “pressured” to support a forthcoming constitutional amendment package. The proposed amendments, which include fixing the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) at three years, are expected to be presented in parliament today (Saturday).
Mengal claimed that the homes of Senators Muhammad Qasim and Nasima Ehsaan were raided, with Ehsaan’s family also facing threats. He accused the government of attempting to pass the amendment by using force and keeping the public in the dark.
Opposition parties, including BNP-M, PTI, and JUI-F, have warned their members against supporting the package, with threats of unseating those who do. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan criticized the government for bypassing proper procedures, claiming the package had not been approved by the cabinet, making it illegal.
PTI leader Asad Qaiser accused the government of using coercion and threats to secure support for the package. Despite opposition, the ruling coalition remains confident it can muster the two-thirds majority required for the amendment, though it appears to still lack several crucial votes in both houses of parliament.
