KARACHI: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), a significant coalition partner of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s government, has rejected major provisions of the proposed 27th constitutional amendment. Notably, the party opposed changes involving the National Finance Commission (NFC) and devolution of powers, declaring its support solely for the clause relating to the armed forces.
Political sources familiar with the matter revealed that the amendment seeks to establish a constitutional court, reinstate executive magistrates, revise the allocation of federal revenue among provinces, and restructure constitutional procedures for appointing senior judges and military leadership.
In an effort to secure the two-thirds parliamentary majority required for constitutional amendments, the government has intensified consultations with alliance partners, including the PPP, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).
After a meeting of the PPP’s central executive committee (CEC), party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addressed a news conference, firmly opposing any changes that would reduce provinces’ federal resource shares or reverse the devolution of powers secured under the landmark 18th amendment. He emphasized equal representation for all provinces in any proposed constitutional court, reiterating that the party would not compromise on this principle.
He stated that while the committee rejected any proposals undermining devolution and provincial resource shares, it had approved a single amendment: a revision to Article 243 concerning the armed forces’ structure. According to Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, this amendment involves renaming the position of Joint Chiefs of Staff and creating a new National Strategic Command post, along with a proposed role of field marshal.
“So far, the only constitutional amendment we agree to support is this one,” he affirmed.
Deliberations on other proposed amendments, such as the establishment of a constitutional court, will continue when the committee reconvenes after Friday prayers.
The revisions to the NFC award, which dictate how federal tax revenue is distributed among provinces, remain among the most contentious issues. The PPP, which championed the 18th amendment in 2010 to bolster provincial autonomy, has consistently opposed reductions in financial or administrative powers for provinces.
Speaking in Karachi, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari explained that his party deliberately refrained from public statements until discussions within the national leadership took place. Now, however, the CEC’s position on key aspects is clear.
Constitutional amendments in Pakistan have historically reshaped the dynamics between the federation, judiciary, and provinces. The 18th amendment, regarded as a cornerstone reform enacted during Asif Ali Zardari’s presidency, transferred significant control over education, health, and other domains to provincial governments.
The PPP chairman reiterated his party’s commitment to opposing any rollbacks of these reforms. “We will resist any attempt to undo devolution,” he asserted.
As coalition negotiations continue with other governing alliance parties, the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by former prime minister Imran Khan, has declared its intention to oppose the 27th amendment and called for full disclosure of its draft before it reaches parliament.
