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This collage shows undated photos of PM Shehbaz Sharif (right) and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. — PID/X/@NAofPakistan/File
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ISLAMABAD: Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq has been directed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to build political consensus as the federal government on Wednesday decided on the table of 27th constitutional amendment with reference to sources.
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 confirmed on Tuesday that the government is currently in discussions with its grand coalition partner, the PPP, and will also hold discussions with other coalition parties—including the pre-trust Mutahida Qaumi Tehreek-e-Pakistan (MQM-P), the Omi National Party (ANP), and the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).
In today’s development, sources said the NA Speaker has called a meeting of all parliamentary leaders to discuss the proposed amendment and discuss a broad political agreement, which will be held in the Speaker’s Lounge at Parliament House.
He said the invitation has been extended to parliamentary leaders of all major political parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (Joi-F), as well as chief whips of coalition partners.
The sources added that the participants will be briefed on the shape of the constitutional amendment, and a joint strategy for its passage will be discussed. “If there is no consensus, the government will rely on its numbers in the National Assembly,” he added.
He further revealed that Sadiq is also expected to hold one-on-one meetings with parliamentary leaders in his chamber before the joint sitting.
Meanwhile, the ruling party directed all its legislators and members of coalition parties to ensure their presence in Islamabad ahead of the key session.
Does the government have a magic number?
According to parliamentary sources, the PML-N government currently enjoys the support of 237 members in the National Assembly, where 224 votes are needed to pass the constitutional amendment.
Muslim League (N) has 125 seats, while PPP has 74 members.
The ruling coalition includes 22 members from the MQM-P, five from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), and four from the Isthakam Pakistan Party (IPP).
Additionally, with one member from the Muslim League-Zia, the National Party, and the BAP, along with four independent legislators, backing the government.
The opposition has 89 seats in the lower house of parliament.
In the Senate, the ruling coalition commands 61 members, while the opposition has 35.
To pass an amendment in the upper house, the government needs a two-thirds majority—a total of 64 votes. Sources suggest that the government will need the support of at least three senators from either the Jui-F or the ANP to reach this threshold.
Adaptation Seeking Good Governance: MQMP
MQM-PK convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that the purpose of the 27th constitutional amendment is to improve governance and strengthen provincial cohesion.
He was speaking to reporters outside Parliament today, along with other party leaders, including Dr Farooq Sattar.
Siddiqui said that the government believes that this amendment will increase the efficiency of the judicial system. “This move will help ensure the safety of citizens and better justice,” he noted, stressing on curbing political speculation as Pakistan passes through a critical phase.
Recalling the 26th Amendment, he said the MQMP demanded that the benefits of democracy reach the people. “We approached the government directly and met the prime minister,” he added.
Sattar said there should be no “surprise or concern” over the proposed constitutional amendment. He emphasized that empowerment of local governments is very important to solve public problems and improve governance.
He added that the 18th Amendment had ensured provincial autonomy, and now “the next step should be local autonomy.”
Sattar also called for devolution of powers to become part of the 27th Amendment, adding that most parties had previously supported similar reforms under the 26th Amendment.
Vawda met Maulana Fazal
Apart from this, Senator Faisal Vawda met Jui-F chief Maulana Fazlar Rehman in Islamabad and said that their discussion focused on the provisions of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. “We meet often, and I always leave with positivity,” he told reporters after the meeting.
Wada said the Joi-F chief will take his own decision on the amendment. “Maulana Fazal Rehman is a strong politician who always stands by Pakistan,” he remarked.
The senator claimed he had “more than enough numbers” to pass the new amendment.
He asserted that the survival and security of Pakistan came first. WADA clarified that the 18th Amendment was not being rolled back, only reviewed through mutual consultation.
“Article 243 covers not only ground warfare but also cyber and economic defence,” Wawda said, stressing the need to strengthen Pakistan’s armed forces. He urged the Imran Khan-led party to engage constructively in the debate, warning that negative politics would harm the party.
