Shehbaz, Bilawal push for another constitutional amendment

LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have agreed to bring the 27th Constitutional Amendment in Parliament to fine-tune the shortcomings and lacunas in the recently passed 26th Constitutional Amendment.

The two leaders also agreed to take Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on board on the proposed 27th constitutional amendment.

Bilawal, who held a meeting with PM Sharif at his residence in Lahore, commended the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment as a historic milestone and reiterated his commitment to strengthening the parliament.

Prime Minister Sharif underscored PPP’s essential role as a coalition partner, acknowledging its support for the government to stabilize the country’s economy.

The prime minister attributed the successful passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment to the efforts of all allied parties. He also praised the PPP’s confidence in government’s policies.

Bilawal described the 26th amendment as crucial for “countering anti-democratic forces”. He affirmed PPP’s commitment to working jointly for a robust parliament.

According to sources, Shehbaz and Bilawal discussed the shortcomings in the 26th amendment and explored ways and means to pass the 27th amendment with a two-thirds majority.

They agreed to consult JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl, who will be briefed on the proposed amendment.

They agreed for a consultative session with constitutional and legal experts on October 28 in Islamabad to finalize the nitty-gritty details of the proposed.

Bilawal will also consult PML-N President Nawaz Sharif on the 27th amendment upon his return to Pakistan.

Earlier, Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced his total opposition to the proposed 27th amendment.

Speaking to the media in Chiniot earlier, he said, “The 27th amendment will not be allowed to be passed.”

The 26th Constitutional Amendment, recently passed by both the National Assembly and Senate with a two-thirds majority, introduced major changes in the appointment process for the chief justice of the Supreme Court and the selection of Supreme Court judges.

Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman, former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Murtaza Wahab, as well as Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Rana Sanaullah were also present.