ISLAMABAD: The opposition parties in parliament have strongly rejected the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, alleging that it aims to roll back provincial autonomy and alter the foundational structure of the 1973 Constitution.
During a Senate session, PTI Senator Ali Zafar sharply criticized the government, demanding clarity on who had drafted the amendment and what specific reforms were being introduced. He warned that several proposed changes would undermine the 18th Amendment, which granted extensive powers to the provinces.
Zafar claimed that the amendment seeks to transfer authority from the Supreme Court to a newly created Constitutional Court, curtail the powers of the President through amendments to Article 243, and reclaim certain provincial rights under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
He described the move as an attempt to “weaken the federation and centralize power.”
The senator questioned the government’s motives, saying the amendment appears to be “coming from elsewhere” and urged full transparency about its origin and intent. He affirmed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would stand with all political forces opposing the proposed legislation.
After a joint opposition meeting, former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser also voiced strong criticism, calling the 27th Amendment “a new Pandora’s box.” He accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of joining hands with the government in what he described as “an effort to bury democracy.”
Qaiser questioned the sincerity of opposition parties that once championed the slogan “Respect the Vote,” claiming they are now complicit in weakening the democratic framework.
He announced that opposition members would stage protests inside and outside Parliament to resist the amendment, which they believe poses a serious threat to constitutional integrity and the balance of power between the federation and the provinces.
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