Prime Minister’s aide says constitutional reforms will only be pursued once consensus is reached among all political stakeholders
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah. SCREEN GRAB
Adviser to the prime minister on political affairs Rana Sanaullah on Saturday pushed back against speculation of an imminent constitutional change, saying no such move would proceed without broad political consensus among all stakeholders.
Rumors of a proposed 28th constitutional amendment have been doing the rounds since last year and have become stronger recently. Amid growing speculation, Pakistan People’s Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said a day earlier that the government had not approached his party regarding any proposed constitutional amendment, while warning that the passage of such legislation would not be possible without its support.
Speaking during a private television program “Jirga”, Sanaullah remained non-committal when asked about the proposed 28th constitutional amendment.
Read: No move for 28th constitutional amendment, says law minister
“It is settled that whatever amendment comes, it will be the 28th amendment because the 27th has already been done. So now we should expect the 28th amendment,” he said.
However, he did not confirm whether such an amendment was under consideration, adding that the issues potentially linked to a 28th amendment were of fundamental importance and remained part of the ongoing dialogue between political parties and their leadership.
Responding to a question, he supported Bilawal’s stand that no constitutional amendment could be passed without the PPP’s support.
“Yes, absolutely. He is right to say that no amendment can be made without them and he is also right to the extent that they have not been informed that we are going to bring any 28th amendment,” he said.
However, he added that the OPP itself was aware of the current problems and also had proposals to solve them.
“Consensus building has not yet begun. Until there is consensus, no movement will be made towards any change,” he said.
Also read: OPP pours scorn on government’s 28th tweak plan
Discussing broader governance and fiscal issues, including local government systems, the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, population control and resource allocation, he said the existing framework left the federal government with very limited fiscal space after debt servicing and defense spending.
“The distribution of resources between the provinces and the federation under the NFC leaves the federation with next to nothing after paying external debt and defense charges,” he said, adding that the matter was under serious consideration and required a workable solution.
Expressing concern over a potential future water crisis, the adviser said India planned to build five to six dams on the Chenab River, projects he said could be completed by 2029-30.
He warned that in such a scenario, India would be able to control the flow of the river.
“India will weaponize water. When we need it, they can block it and when we don’t need it, they can suddenly release it, causing floods here,” he said.
He added that Pakistan should urgently consider alternative strategies, including construction of water reservoirs, to address the potential challenge.
