‘Attack on federation’: PTI vows to resist proposed constitutional tweak
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi (left) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan. — Screengrab via X/YouTube/@PTIOfficial/Geo News
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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday said it will resist the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment in every forum, warning that it supersedes the provincial autonomy secured under the 18th Amendment.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament House after attending a Parliament Party meeting, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said any move to undermine the provinces’ democratic mandate would be resisted.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is now seeking a broad political agreement on the establishment of a constitutional court, and proposed constitutional amendments to make some changes to the National Finance Commission (NFC) award.
According to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Balwal Bhutto Zardari, the amendment also sought to amend Article 243 – which deals with the high command of the armed forces.
Other proposals include the introduction of executive magistrates, provisions for transfer of judges, and removal of reservations regarding provincial shares in NFC awards.
Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday that the government is currently in discussions with its major coalition partner, the PPP, and will also hold discussions with other coalition parties—including the Mutahida Qaumi Tehreek-Pakistan (MQM-P), the Awami National Party (ANP), and the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP)—before finalizing it.
Speaking to reporters today, Chief Minister Afridi said the amendment was a “robbery of provincial sovereignty”.
“We will oppose the 27th constitutional amendment. It is a direct attack on the rights of the federation units,” he said. “PTI has always stood as the guardian of democracy and constitution.”
Afridi said that the federal government has owed its due financial share to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Under the NFC award, KP’s share is 19.4 per cent. Our exact amount is more than Rs 7.5 billion,” he said, adding that the provinces have to receive the resources specified under the 18th Amendment.
He remarked, “There will be no compromise on provincial sovereignty. The province’s sacrifices for Pakistan have to be acknowledged.”
Meanwhile, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan – speaking on the floor of the National Assembly – strongly criticized the proposed 27th constitutional amendment, saying it threatened the balance between the Center and the provinces.
“There is unrest across the country as the federation appears to be encroaching on provincial authority,” he said, adding: “Amending the constitution is a serious matter.”
He noted that while India had amended its constitution 106 times, Pakistan’s 18th amendment was a landmark achieved by consensus and must be respected.
“In the 26th Amendment, we had protections on four clauses, and today you’re putting the entire federation at risk,” he said. “No government should make an amendment that further divides the judiciary.”
Barrister Gauhar added that the National Finance Commission (NFC) award is always good.
“The 27th Amendment is an attack on this very House,” he remarked, warning that the commitment made in the 18th Amendment – that the provinces would not get less share than before – should not be violated.
Gauhar added that the proposed amendment was against the “spirit of Parliament and the Constitution”.
Resolution to seek CM’s meeting with Imran Khan
Separately, PTI lawmakers in the National Assembly moved a resolution demanding that the KP chief minister be allowed to meet the PTI founder, who is currently lodged in Adiala Jail.
The resolution – signed by 34 PTI MNAs – stated that the PTI founder is the head of Pakistan’s largest political party and that consultation with him is a democratic necessity.
Assembly members support a meeting between KP Chief Minister and PTI founder, read this text. “This meeting is a part of constitutional and democratic consultation, and permission should be given for the meeting in Adiala Jail.”
Afridi said he made repeated efforts to secure the meeting.
“The day I became the chief minister, I have called for a meeting,” he said. “When this was not facilitated, I approached the High Court. Parliament is supreme, that’s why I thought it appropriate to move the resolution here.”
