Tarar Says No Sign Of 28th Amendment For Now
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has said there is currently no clear sign that the government is ready to introduce a 28th Constitutional Amendment, even as political debate continues over possible changes to Pakistan’s constitutional framework. Speaking in Lahore on Saturday, Tarar said any such move would require broad consultation with coalition partners before being formally advanced.
The statement comes amid renewed speculation in political circles over whether the ruling coalition is preparing another round of constitutional changes. Tarar sought to lower expectations of an immediate amendment, saying the government cannot move forward on sensitive constitutional matters without agreement among allied parties and other stakeholders.
According to the law minister, discussions are taking place on several unresolved national issues, but consensus remains essential before any constitutional proposal can take shape. He described lawmaking as a continuing process and said matters of this scale must be handled through consultation rather than unilateral action.
Tarar said coalition partners would be taken into confidence if the government ever decided to proceed with a 28th Amendment. He also referred to the political history of the 18th Amendment, noting that major constitutional changes in Pakistan have traditionally required extensive dialogue and cross-party understanding.
The minister also confirmed that subjects such as population control and the demand for Hazara and Saraiki provinces were part of ongoing discussions. These issues have long carried political sensitivity because they affect representation, provincial resources, administrative boundaries and the balance of power between the federation and provinces.
Local government reform is another key area under debate. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has been pushing for constitutional protections to strengthen local bodies, arguing that empowered municipal governments are necessary for better service delivery, especially in major urban centres such as Karachi and Hyderabad.
Tarar’s remarks also follow recent comments by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who said the government had not contacted him or President Asif Ali Zardari regarding any constitutional amendment. Bilawal had stressed that the PPP’s role in previous amendments was focused on protecting provincial rights and expanding representation rather than weakening the federal structure.
The discussion around a possible 28th Amendment is politically important because constitutional engineering in Pakistan often affects relations among parliament, provinces, courts, political parties and local governments. Any rushed proposal could trigger resistance, while a consensus-based package may require lengthy negotiations and careful drafting.
For Pakistan, the issue carries direct implications for governance, provincial autonomy, population planning, local democracy and demands for new administrative units. If handled carefully, reforms could address long-standing political grievances; if mishandled, they could deepen mistrust among coalition partners and opposition forces.
The next phase will depend on whether the government moves from informal consultations to a formal constitutional draft. Until then, Tarar’s statement suggests that the 28th Amendment remains a matter of political discussion rather than an imminent legislative move.