The "Numbers Game" in NA Becomes a Puzzle for Constitutional Amendments Regarding the Judiciary

The "numbers game" in the National Assembly for constitutional amendments concerning the higher judiciary has become a puzzle. The government claims to have the required numbers, but the task appears challenging.

The government aims to introduce a significant constitutional amendment regarding the higher judiciary, which requires a two-thirds majority in the lower house, meaning the support of 224 members out of the total 336.

Sources indicate that the government is facing considerable difficulty in securing the necessary numbers, which is why the proposed legislation is being delayed.

Currently, 312 members are present in the National Assembly, while 24 seats, including those for women and minorities, are either disputed or vacant, and their notifications are pending.

The number of government members stands at 213, which includes 111 members from the PML-N, 68 members from the PPP, 22 from MQM, five from PML-Q, four from the Istehkam Pakistan Party, and one each from the Muslim League Zia, National Party, and Balochistan Awami Party.

On the other hand, the opposition has 101 members, comprising 80 from the Sunni Ittehad Council, six independent members, eight from JUI-F, and one each from BNP, Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen, and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party.

If JUI-F supports the bill, the government's total number will reach 221, leaving them short by just three members.

If any member of the Sunni Ittehad Council or another opposition party votes in favor of the constitutional bill, they will be disqualified, but their vote will still be counted.

If any of the eight independent members sitting with the opposition support the government, they will not lose their seat. Among these eight members are PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar and Opposition Leader Umar Ayub Khan, along with Ali Asghar Khan, Aslam Ghumman, Usman Ali, Zahoor Hussain Qureshi, Aurangzeb Kachhi, and Mubarak Zeb.

If the PPP wins the ongoing by-election in Rahim Yar Khan and includes JUI-F, the government's numbers will rise to 222, meaning they will only need to sway two independent members.

The situation is intriguing and is expected to become clearer in the next two days.

Sources suggest that the government may call a National Assembly session on Saturday, during which the proposed constitutional amendment could be presented.