JUI-F Vows to Oppose Any Amendment to Article 243 That Undermines Democracy
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has issued a stern warning that his party will not accept any changes to Article 243 of the Constitution that undermine the democratic framework of Pakistan. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Fazl expressed his concerns regarding the proposed 27th Amendment, cautioning that any alteration to the article that weakens democracy would be strongly opposed by his party.
Concerns Over the 27th Amendment
Maulana Fazl pointed out that no official draft of the 27th Amendment has been made public as of yet, making it difficult for JUI-F to comment definitively on its content. However, he stressed that any inclusion of clauses from the 26th Constitutional Amendment, specifically those withdrawn earlier, would be seen as a violation of the Constitution.
“The government withdrew 35 clauses during the 26th Amendment, and if these are reintroduced in the 27th Amendment, it would be a clear disrespect for the Constitution,” Fazl said.
JUI-F’s Advocacy for Provincial Rights
A key part of JUI-F’s position is its firm stance on preserving and expanding the authority of the provinces. Fazl emphasized that his party strongly supports the empowerment of provinces, particularly in line with the 18th Amendment, which had significantly strengthened provincial powers.
“JUI-F advocates for granting provinces greater authority, not diminishing their rights,” he said. “Reducing provincial powers is unacceptable. Provincial powers can be expanded, but any attempt to curtail them will be met with strong opposition.”
Article 243, which deals with the command of the armed forces, has become a focal point in the ongoing debate about constitutional changes. Fazl’s remarks come at a time when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government is pushing for amendments to Article 243, including the creation of a new position—Commander of Defence Forces (CDF)—to ensure better coordination among the armed services.
Criticism of the Government’s Policy on Religious Schools and Reforms
Apart from his opposition to the constitutional amendment, Maulana Fazl also criticized the government for its failure to deliver on promised reforms, particularly regarding interest-free financial systems and the registration of religious schools. He expressed concerns over the government’s move to place religious schools under the Ministry of Education, a move he described as “unacceptable.”
“The government is attempting to force religious schools under the Ministry of Education, which goes against their autonomy,” Fazl said. “Such a step would infringe upon the freedom of religious institutions.”
Call for Collective National Effort
Fazl also highlighted the need for a unified national approach to address Pakistan’s pressing challenges. “I consider the country’s children as my own. Nothing is being handled properly, and fixing this requires collective thinking,” he stated, calling for more coordinated efforts among all political parties and stakeholders.
He concluded by reaffirming the JUI-F’s stance on governance, stressing that an “unnatural” system would not be accepted by the public. “During the 26th Amendment, all parliamentary parties were in mutual contact. Society cannot accept an unnatural system; natural governance must prevail,” Fazl emphasized.
The 27th Amendment and Government Plans
The push for the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which includes the proposed changes to Article 243, is seen as part of the PML-N’s broader efforts to reshape Pakistan’s political and military landscape. In addition to the proposed changes to Article 243, the government also aims to establish a Constitutional Court and amend the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
While the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key ally of the PML-N, has expressed support for modifying Article 243, it has rejected changes to the NFC formula, further complicating the debate around the proposed constitutional changes.
The political tug-of-war over the 27th Amendment, particularly regarding the balance of power between federal and provincial authorities, is set to continue as Pakistan’s political leadership navigates these crucial constitutional reforms.
