PTI’s Gohar calls it an ‘attack on Parliament’; Fazl warns that forced changes will erode public confidence
ISLAMABAD:
Opposition lawmakers on Wednesday came out all guns blazing in the National Assembly against the proposed 27th constitutional amendment, which has set off a political storm in the country at a time when the Supreme Court is already seized with petitions challenging the 26th amendment.
Speaking on the floor of the lower house of parliament, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the new proposed amendments to the 1973 constitution as “an attack on the house” and vowed that his party would continue to raise its voice against the move.
Recalling the events surrounding the passage of the 26th Amendment, Gohar said the PTI along with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had made “huge efforts” to block it.
“Perhaps this time we will not have to visit his (Fazl’s) residence or sit with you in a committee,” he said, directly addressing the Deputy Speaker who was presiding over the session. “We will raise our voice against it as it is an attack on Parliament,” he added.
“Whenever there is a constitutional amendment anywhere in the world, it is done through consensus and according to the needs of the country,” the PTI chairman said.
He described the 27th Amendment as “against the spirit of this House and the Constitution” and warned that the country cannot afford further divisions. He also called for no amendments that put the judiciary under more pressure.
“Amending the constitution is the right of Parliament – and Parliament belongs to those who have the people’s mandate,” Gohar said. “Our democracy is fragile; the people have no faith in the courts.”
He reminded the vice president that when the 18th Amendment was passed in 2010, it had been passed “by consensus and in unity with the people.”
“The world recognized and celebrated it,” Gohar said. “But when you tabled the 26th Amendment, you brought 56 amendments which were reduced to 25, then 18. We strongly opposed four of those amendments, including the Constitutional Council, the tenure of judges and the retention of the Election Commission.
“This is a time when the nation is divided; tensions are running high, terrorism is on the rise, [trade] the deficit is increasing and people cannot bear additional problems. Please be concerned about Pakistan’s security,” he said while addressing the Treasury.
After the opposition’s attack, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, what he described as “false and misleading propaganda”, which suggested that the government intended to roll back the 18th constitutional amendment through the 27th amendment.
He made it clear that neither the ruling party nor the Prime Minister intended to overturn the 18th Amendment. “Let me make it absolutely clear – there is no move to roll back the 18th Amendment through the 27th Amendment. Such politically motivated propaganda must stop,” he added.
Chaudhry said the proposed amendment was being misrepresented by some political circles for personal gain. He affirmed that the government was fully committed to upholding the spirit of the constitution and strengthening parliamentary democracy.
He clarified that discussions on the proposed 27th Amendment were still premature as the official draft had not yet been presented in the National Assembly.
“It would be more appropriate for members to give their views once the document is formally tabled,” he said, adding that the current comments were only based on speculation. “Once the draft is presented, each member will have a chance to review its content and raise objections if necessary,” he added.
Responding to criticism of the government’s mandate, Chaudhry said that although every election has been under scrutiny, the current assemblies have a legitimate mandate. “If anyone has concerns about the election result, they should go to court instead of questioning the authority of parliament,” he said.
The minister said the constitution was a “living document” and any change required a two-thirds majority in parliament. “Consensus is desirable, but constitutionally amendments are adopted by a two-thirds majority,” he explained.
He said the purpose of the 27th Amendment was to strengthen the federation and promote inter-provincial cooperation, not to weaken provincial autonomy.
The minister added that the draft amendment would first be presented to the Senate and the National Assembly and then shared with all parliamentary committees for detailed review and input. “We will give the draft for review and hold discussions afterwards. Don’t make it controversial before it is even tabled,” he added.
Chaudhry said the government believed in dialogue, not confrontation. “We are committed to strengthening the federation and promoting unity among all provinces. No step will be taken that weakens national harmony,” he said.
Referring to remarks on Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the minister appreciated the members for highlighting the problems of the province, especially terrorism. “I appreciate that our colleagues mentioned KP and its challenges, especially the courage of the people to fight terrorism for years,” he said.
He added that the federal government stood with the people of KP and other provinces in dealing with national issues including terrorism and economic difficulties.
Meanwhile, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed concern over reports of a new amendment being drafted under external influence that the constitution must not be turned into a “toy”.
After a meeting with Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader Mahmood Achakzai, he said that coercive constitutional changes would erode public trust, adding that the opposition had yet to receive the draft of the 27th amendment but would form a common position once it did.
He revealed that a minister had been working on the amendment for three months, suggesting that the proposal did not originate with the government. “When changes are made under pressure, what confidence will remain in the Constitution?” he asked, recalling that his party had previously forced the withdrawal of 34 clauses from the 26th Amendment.
After the meeting, PTI leader Asad Qaiser told reporters that the opposition would take a united stand in parliament and decide on a collective strategy. Thanking Fazl for hosting the dinner meeting, Qaiser said the JUI-F chief had expressed full support to Achakzai and called for his notification as Leader of the Opposition to be issued without delay.
