The federal government on Tuesday invited the opposition to negotiations to improve the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar recalled that in April 2022, a motion under Article 95 had been tabled. “We saw what happened with the motion while sitting in the visitors’ gallery. That no-confidence motion was rejected in 90 seconds, and the assembly was also dissolved. Only the Supreme Court later restored the assembly.”

Azam Nazir Tarar questioned why the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were dissolved prematurely.

“You (the opposition) say that there should be meetings and discussions, but have you encouraged such efforts at dialogue?” the law minister added.

Defending the 26th Amendment, the law minister said the legislation stopped the disrespect of parliament at the hands of courts.

“It also set a method for the appointment of judges. The same procedure is followed all over the world,” the minister said, noting that the number of pending cases decreased following the amendment.

Inviting the opposition for talks, Azam Tarar said, “Come, sit with us and tell us how to improve this amendment. We were ready yesterday and we are ready today. Shouting and tearing documents won’t solve anything — only discussion will”.

Azam Nazir Tarar said that we need to sit together and think about the betterment of the country.

“Under the 26th Amendment, the parliamentary committee for the appointment of judges had been strengthened. A draft proposing 108 amendments to the Criminal Code is lying in the committee. Let’s sit down and resolve this,” the law minister said.

Meanwhile, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq took notice of PTI leader Sheikh Waqas Akram’s 40-day absence from the House, noting that under Article 64, continuous unexplained absence may lead to forfeiture of his seat.

A motion to remove his membership was submitted, with the Deputy Speaker assuring a review per assembly rules.