By Irfan Malik
ISLAMABAD; The federal government has intensified its efforts to introduce the 27th Constitutional Amendment, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directing his team to broaden consultations and take all coalition partners into confidence.
According to official sources, the initial discussions have already been held with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), while formal engagement is being initiated with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), Awami National Party (ANP), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F).
Sources said the draft framework of the proposed amendment includes changes to Article 243, potential adjustments related to the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, and proposals to return certain education matters under federal control. Additionally, the package includes the establishment of a Constitutional Court and revisions concerning the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Government insiders indicated that the constitutional reform package will be finalised in consultation with all stakeholders, with intensified political discussions expected in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has outrightly rejected the proposed amendment, terming it an attempt to undermine the judiciary’s independence. PTI senior leader Asad Qaiser said his party was open to dialogue with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on the “restoration of the Constitution” and matters related to the NFC Award, but opposed the establishment of a Constitutional Court.
Qaiser warned that any attempt to alter the NFC Award could trigger “chaos in the country”, noting that smaller provinces already complain about not receiving their due share. He also criticised the delay in appointing the opposition leader in the National Assembly, urging the Speaker to “remain neutral” and make the appointment without delay.
The PTI has nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai, chief of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), as opposition leader following Omar Ayub’s disqualification in the May 9 cases.
Separately, PTI Senator Ali Zafar criticised federal ministers for “lying” about the amendment, stating that any constitutional change must be discussed in Parliament. He warned that the proposed amendment seeks to tamper with presidential powers and the NFC Award.
The PPP, which considers the 18th Amendment a “trophy”, has yet to publicly announce its stance on the proposed 27th Amendment.
