ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary leaders of the government coalition have instructed lawmakers currently abroad to return to the country by October 15, sources said.

This comes as political parties are actively engaging in consultations and public debates on the 26th constitutional amendment, which is under review.

Many senators and members of the National Assembly (MNAs) are currently outside Pakistan, with more than 10 lawmakers from the ruling coalition reportedly abroad, sources revealed. Among the MNAs are Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry of PML-N and veteran Syed Khursheed Shah of the People’s Party. Senator Rana Mehmood ul Hassan of the People’s Party, Dinesh Kumar of BAP, Hussain Illahi of PML-Q, and Senator Abdul Qadir are also overseas on official visits.

Bilawal Bhutto, Chairman of the People’s Party, commented that had he been the law minister, he would have pushed to pass the constitutional amendments by October 25.

He emphasized that the government is eager to pass the amendments swiftly. “We seek consensus on the constitutional amendments, and the government is also awaiting it,” he said, adding that the decision on who will appoint the head judge of the constitutional court is still pending.