Bilawal says the government has not approached the OPP for new amendment plan

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Thursday that the government had not approached his party regarding any proposed new constitutional amendment, while warning that the passage of such legislation would not be possible without its support.

Rumors of a proposed 28th constitutional amendment have been doing the rounds since last year and have become stronger recently. The Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, had even said in November that the government would introduce the change soon, before the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, had shot down one such step.

Bilawal chaired a meeting of the party’s parliamentary committee today attended by members of the National Assembly and the Senate where he addressed the issue while speaking to journalists.

Responding to questions, Bilawal said he and President Asif Ali Zardari remained in touch with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, but stressed that no consultation had taken place with the PPP on any new constitutional amendment.

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“Without the PPP, the adoption of constitutional amendments and the federal budget would not be possible,” he said.

He announced that the PPP senior committee would present its budget proposals to the government and added that a four-member team comprising Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Saleem Mandviwalla, Sherry Rehman and Naveed Qamar had been formed for the purpose.

He highlighted his party’s role in the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments, saying it was obvious to all. “We did not allow the rights of the provinces to be reduced; instead, we expanded them. Through our amendment, Balochistan’s representation in the Senate increased,” he added.

Bilawal said the PPP stood with the government in all constitutional amendments and national affairs.

Referring to last year’s tensions with India, he said he had raised Pakistan’s position on international media platforms during the conflict, while also chairing a peace committee at the prime minister’s request.

He added that during the Iran-US tensions, the PPP had fully supported the federal government. “As Pakistanis, we stand together on such issues,” he said.

Bilawal praised the government’s mediation efforts, saying the prime minister and the field marshal were working for peace and to ease tensions between Iran and the United States. “We want the situation to return to normal, after which we will discuss the government’s achievements and promises,” he said, praying for success in the leadership’s peace efforts.

He added that Pakistan’s foreign policy was moving in the right direction and was shaped in the national interest.

Also read: PPP gives the government a month to fulfill the coalition’s promises

On the economic situation, Bilawal said difficulties appeared to be increasing rather than decreasing and warned that the upcoming budget would be challenging. He said the government would have to take relief-oriented decisions in view of the prevailing economic difficulties.

Referring to changes in the National Accountability Bureau Act, he said the PPP had clearly conveyed its position to the government, recalling that the party had historically sought the abolition of the anti-graft body.

He said that due to government constraints, the PPP had supported the recent changes, but warned that the party could reconsider its decisions if commitments were not met.

He reiterated that economic conditions remained dire and were expected to worsen, adding that even if an Iran-US deal were to materialize, difficulties would continue. He urged the government to prepare the budget while keeping the economic challenges in mind.

No move to undo 18th amendment, says Malik

A day ago, Minister of State for Law, Barrister Aqeel Malik, dismissed speculation of any move to roll back the 18th constitutional amendment, terming the impression “extremely false”.

Speaking in private TV program Capital talkthe minister noted that “the 28th comes naturally after the 27th,” but categorically stated that no constitutional amendment is currently being formally worked on.

“After the 26th and 27th amendments, certain matters are no longer hidden. Talks had begun on these issues and a process of dialogue was initiated, but it did not continue,” he said.

Responding to a question, the Prime Minister said that these issues were part of discussions that had continued from the 26th and 27th Amendments.

“If we discuss a single national curriculum next to health, there is nothing secret about it. Discussions regarding the NFC award also took place during the discussions on the 27th Amendment,” Malik said, adding that Article 140A relating to local governments had also come under discussion.

He rejected the suggestion that a possible 28th Amendment would overturn the 18th Amendment, calling such claims “extremely false”.

“The impression created that the 28th Amendment, if introduced, would amount to a rollback of the 18th Amendment is completely misleading,” Malik said.

He added that the 18th Amendment had been passed in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time, but maintained that changed circumstances did not mean it could not be taken up again.