PESHAWAR: On Wednesday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Sohail Afridi declared that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will vehemently oppose the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, viewing it as an assault on the autonomy provided to provinces under the 18th Amendment.Addressing journalists outside Parliament after a parliamentary party meeting, Afridi warned against any moves that weaken the democratic authority of provincial governments, vowing to resist such efforts.
PML-N pushes for consensus on constitutional reforms
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is actively seeking a broad political consensus on the draft amendment, which aims to establish a Constitutional Court and modify the NFC Award.The proposed changes also seek to amend Article 243, which deals with the command of the armed forces, alongside other key constitutional adjustments, as highlighted by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. These include the reintroduction of executive magistrates, provisions for judge transfers, and alterations to provincial shares in the NFC.
Government in talks with coalition partners
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed ongoing discussions with major allies like PPP, MQM-P, ANP, and BAP to secure backing before finalizing the draft.
Afridi emphasized that the amendment is fundamentally an attack on provincial autonomy:“KP’s rightful share under the NFC is over Rs7.5 billion, or 19.4%. We will not accept any reduction or dilution of our constitutional rights,” he asserted.
He reaffirmed KP’s commitment to safeguarding its constitutional entitlements and highlighted the sacrifices made by the province for the nation.
PTI’s strong criticism from Barrister Gohar Ali KhanWhile speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, PTI’s Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the proposed amendment, warning it could destabilize the delicate balance between the federation and the provinces.
He pointed out that Pakistan’s 18th Amendment was achieved through consensus and should be respected, unlike the 26th Amendment, which PTI had reservations about.Gohar emphasized that the NFC Award has historically remained unchanged, and the 27th Amendment’s attempt to alter it constitutes an attack on parliamentary sovereignty and the constitutional foundation of provincial rights.“Amending the Constitution is a serious matter, and any attempt to further divide the judiciary or undermine provincial shares is unacceptable,” he cautioned.
Call for a meeting between KP CM and PTI leader Imran Khan
In a separate development, PTI legislators in the National Assembly submitted a resolution urging authorities to facilitate a meeting between KP’s Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and PTI’s founder, Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail.Signed by 34 PTI MNAs, the resolution underscores that Imran Khan, as the leader of Pakistan’s largest opposition party, should be consulted on political and constitutional matters.Afridi stated he had repeatedly requested a meeting with Imran Khan but was unsuccessful.“Since taking office, I have tried to meet him multiple times. When my requests were ignored, I approached the High Court, and now I am submitting this resolution to Parliament because it is a matter of democratic necessity,” he explained.
