Govt courts allies as 27th Constitutional Amendment drive intensifies
“The government is courting allies to pass the 27th Constitutional Amendment.”
Key points
- The government is courting allies to pass the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
- Proposals span a Constitutional Court to changes in Article 243 as PTI vows to oppose the draft.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ramped up consultations with coalition partners as the government moves to table the 27th Constitutional Amendment, a year after the 26th Amendment was passed.
Delegations from MQM-P, PML-Q, IPP and BAP met the premier to discuss the draft. MQM-P received assurances on local-government reforms, while BAP pressed for greater representation for Balochistan in provincial and national assemblies. Leaders from PML-Z and the National Party also held talks with the prime minister.
According to officials, the proposals include creating a Constitutional Court, revising Article 243 on command of the armed forces, appointing executive magistrates, enabling judge transfers, altering protections around the NFC Award's provincial share, re-federalising education and population planning, and changing appointment procedures for the Election Commission of Pakistan.
PTI has rejected the plan, warning it could undermine judicial independence and provincial autonomy. The government maintains it will seek consensus in parliament, where the ruling alliance currently commands a majority in the National Assembly but needs additional support in the Senate to pass constitutional changes.
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