ISLAMABAD: The chief of a leading Pakistani religio-political party said on Friday he had suggested that the government undertake judicial reforms instead of passing an elaborate constitutional amendments package, posing a new challenge to the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which is pushing for the changes. 
The government last week sought to get a package of 52 constitutional amendments passed in parliament but postponed the move after it was unable to gather the two-thirds majority parliamentary votes required, most importantly as it did not get support from Fazl-ur-Rehman, the president of the Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam (JUI-F) party.
The amendments propose increasing the retirement age of superior judges by three years, revisiting the seniority principle in the appointment of the country’s top judge and establishing a federal constitutional court, among other changes.
Opposition parties, mainly the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of jailed former premier Imran Khan, have criticized the package, calling it an “attack” on the independence of the judiciary. The PTI says the amendments are being done solely to grant an extension to incumbent Supreme Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, widely believed to be aligned with the ruling coalition and in opposition to its chief rival, the PTI. 
The government has repeatedly said the amendments are not “individual specific.”
“We [Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam] adopted a stance that instead of amending the constitution with individuals in mind, why not head toward judicial reforms?” Rehman said at a televised news conference in Multan.
He said that his party had sought a draft of the constitutional amendment package from the government, saying the government was initially not willing to share it but when it managed to get hold of a copy, it reflected a lack of preparation.
“When we received the copy [of the proposed constitutional amendments] and our lawyers reviewed it, we were deeply saddened by the fact that the constitution, which protects the fundamental rights of every citizen, but over here, human and fundamental rights had been restricted, and the role of [Pakistan’s] military had been significantly expanded.
“Additionally, matters relating to the appointment and transfer of judges, even in the high courts, were alarming. If a judge is not trusted or cannot deliver a favorable decision, they could be immediately transferred, or the case could be reassigned to another judge.”
He said he had met with a key coalition partner, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, about the amendments package. 
“We agreed that we could also make a draft [of amendments] and he could also create a draft before sharing them with each other,” Rehman said. 
“We want consensus. The job of parliament is to legislate, bring constitutional legislation, make amendments, and pass laws. This is our job. And we are not ready to accept any restriction on this.”
The issue of the constitutional amendments has raised widespread concerns among opposition parties and independent experts who say the moves are aimed at increasing the government’s power in making key judicial appointments and dealing with the defection of lawmakers during house votes.

ISLAMABAD: A major Chinese business group unveiled its plan to set up textile parks in two Pakistani provinces during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, saying these “international-standard” facilities will help generate up to $5 billion in textile exports from the country.
China’s Ruyi Shandong Group, one of the largest textile and clothing manufacturers, has expanded globally over the past decade through acquisitions and investments. It has also benefited from the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the past by investing in a coal power plant in the country.
The group’s chairman, Qiu Yafu, held a meeting with the prime minister to discuss the investment proposal and highlight its details.
“Ruyi Group will establish international-standard textile parks in Sindh and Punjab provinces, inviting around 100 major Chinese textile industries to invest,” he said in his briefing, according to an official statement circulated after the meeting.
“The primary focus of these textile parks is to boost Pakistan’s textile exports and make Pakistan a global hub for textiles and garments,” he continued.
The Chinese businessman added these parks will utilize solar energy, operate with zero carbon emissions and employ modern automated technology.
“In the first phase, these parks are expected to generate $2 billion in exports, with $5 billion anticipated in the second phase,” he noted. “The parks will create employment opportunities for 300,000 to 500,000 local individuals.”
According to the briefing, the foundation stone for the textile parks will be laid by the end of the year, with completion expected within three years.
Ruyi Group will also establish wholesale commodity centers in both Karachi and Lahore.
It was decided during the meeting to establish working groups in Islamabad and Beijing to advance matters between Pakistan and the Chinese business group.
“China has always stood by Pakistan in difficult times,” the prime minister said during the meeting. “Economic relations between China and Pakistan are growing stronger with each passing day.”
He also formed a special committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to oversee the initiative.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between Pakistan’s Board of Investment and Ruyi Shandong Group regarding the establishment of the parks, with the prime minister in attendance.