PTI Leadership Slams Proposed Constitutional Changes
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has announced its strong opposition to the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, with top leaders characterizing the move as a direct attack on provincial rights and the federal structure of the country.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi stated on Wednesday that the party views the amendment as an attempt to undermine the provincial autonomy enshrined in the 18th Constitutional Amendment. Speaking to journalists outside Parliament House following a parliamentary party meeting, Afridi asserted that “Any move weakening the democratic mandate of the provinces will be resisted,” terming the proposal a “robbery of provincial autonomy.”
Concerns Over Federal Encroachment and NFC Award
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan echoed these concerns on the floor of the National Assembly, arguing that the amendment threatens the crucial balance between the Centre and the provinces. He noted that there is “unrest across the country because the federation appears to be encroaching upon provincial authority.”
A key point of contention is the potential changes to the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, which determines the distribution of federal revenue among the provinces. Barrister Gohar warned against violating the 18th Amendment’s commitment that provinces must not receive a lesser share than before, stating, “The 27th Amendment is an attack on this very House.”
Chief Minister Afridi further pressed the federal government on existing financial obligations, stating that KP’s due share under the NFC Award is 19.4%, an amount exceeding Rs7.5 billion. He stressed that provincial autonomy is “non-negotiable” and provinces must receive the resources defined under the 18th Amendment.
Scope of the Proposed Amendments
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is reportedly seeking a broad consensus on the constitutional tweaks, which are said to encompass a wide array of changes. According to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the proposals include the establishment of a Constitutional Court, adjustments to the NFC Award, amendments to Article 243 (which relates to the supreme command of the armed forces), the introduction of executive magistrates, and provisions for the transfer of judges.
Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar confirmed on Tuesday that the government is currently consulting with its main coalition partner, the PPP, and plans to take other allied parties—including MQM-P, ANP, and BAP—into confidence before finalizing the draft.
Resolution Tabled for CM’s Meeting with PTI Founder
In a separate development, PTI lawmakers in the National Assembly submitted a resolution demanding that the KP Chief Minister be permitted to meet the incarcerated PTI founder at Adiala Jail.
The resolution, bearing the signatures of 34 PTI MNAs, argued that consultation with the head of the country’s largest political party is a democratic requirement. Chief Minister Afridi confirmed that he had made repeated attempts to secure the meeting and, after failing to do so, had taken the matter to the High Court before submitting the resolution to the “supreme” Parliament.
