Latest news with #26thAmendment
Asia News Network
a day ago
- Politics
- Asia News Network
Another amendment?: Dawn
August 13, 2025 ISLAMABAD – THE dust from the 26th Amendment has yet to settle, but talk of a 27th one is already in the air. Given the acrimony that surrounded the last attempt to tinker with the Constitution, one wonders if it will be any different this time. Much has changed since the last amendment was forced through the legislature. The last time the Constitution was being amended, the government did not have the votes to get its bill passed. Lawmakers had to be roped in from the opposition benches to cobble together a two-thirds majority. Some came willingly, after cutting deals. Others had no choice. It did not matter. It was clear from the beginning that the law had to be passed. Even allied lawmakers did not have full knowledge of what they were voting for, and the law minister is said to have simply been handed a draft with clear instructions. To be clear, there is nothing concrete that is known about the '27th Amendment'. For now, it seems merely to be a topic of discussion within the PML-N and its coterie of legal advisers. No proposal has been shared with the party's allies, nor is there a draft that may be debated. Still, it has remained a topic of discussion ever since the government inherited a two-thirds majority courtesy of the Constitutional Bench that the 26th Amendment had helped set up. The two-thirds majority might be the main reason why the government does not seem too fussed. This time, there will not be a need to abduct, bribe or coerce opposition lawmakers. Nor will any party not already allied to the regime be able to blackmail its way into receiving concessions, or to force the government to rethink its agenda. Indeed, the amendment will be seen through without any hiccups even if the regime were to decide that it must be passed tomorrow. It is said that the government may be seeking more 'fixes' for the judiciary. The 26th Amendment apparently did not fix it enough. But it would be deeply unfortunate if the amendment being debated is also focused heavily on a narrow agenda. Pakistan faces several deep-rooted issues that require urgent legislative intervention. These include matters like the possibility of a new province in south Punjab; the need to revisit the role and authority of caretaker governments; addressing the inability of the ECP in fulfilling its intended purpose; and the management of the growing burden of the NFC award, among many others. If the government decides to take all stakeholders on board, especially the opposition, the new amendment could become an opportunity to build bridges where the 26th sowed divisions. Now virtually unchallengeable, the regime would benefit by showing some grace. With power comes responsibility, and it must start to demonstrate some.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
27th Amendment ‘on the cards'?: Bilawal dismisses ‘baseless rumours'
KARACHI: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday dismissed talk of any potential legislation regarding a 27th constitutional amendment as 'baseless rumours'. Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad about the matter, Bilawal addressed the 'baseless rumours', stating: 'So far, no federal minister, prime minister or party member has approached me regarding any amendments.' He also highlighted that the 26th Amendment was passed after reaching a consensus with compromise from political parties. 'PPP wanted constitutional courts, but we compromised,' he said. In a post on X, the PPP quoted him as saying, 'The 26th Constitutional Amendment is an eternal success. Judicial reforms and constitutional courts were a demand of the Charter of Democracy, but we prioritised a constitutional bench over a constitutional court for the sake of consensus.' Though the speculations are rife, there has been no official word regarding the 27th Constitutional Amendment. At present, the proposal to further reform the judiciary is at a very initial stage, but consultations are reportedly underway within the ruling PML-N and some legal circles. Despite these purported consultations, any draft for this proposed bill has yet to see the light of day. While responding to a question about amending the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, Bilawal said, 'Absolutely. Further changes must come in NFC.' He continued, 'The previous NFC award was given before passing the 18th Amendment, which was before 2010.' He said that various responsibilities of the federal government were handed to the provinces, adding, 'But the NFC is the same as it was prior to the 18th Amendment.' The PPP chairman continued, 'The Constitution says that the NFC award must be regularly given after five years. It is already mentioned that the shares of provincial governments cannot be reduced in new NFC awards.' 'All provinces must be given more resources as per the increased responsibilities after the 18th Amendment.' He added, 'We must immediately call NFC and give new awards. All provinces must be given resources according to the 18th Amendment.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PTI voices its opposition to ‘proposed' 27th Amendment
ISLAMABAD: The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday voiced strong opposition to the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, accusing the ruling coalition of eroding judicial independence and centralising power within the executive. Talking to reporters, PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram condemned the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, describing it as a continuation of what he termed an ongoing campaign to undermine the judiciary, following the contentious 26th Amendment. 'The 26th Amendment amounted to a judicial massacre and now they want to finish the job,' he added. 'They want a judiciary that offers no resistance. PTI will oppose this tooth and nail.' He argued that the earlier amendment curtailed the powers of the Supreme Court and reduced the high courts to mere 'rubber stamps', warning that the new proposal would entrench this trend further. Akram called on Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Yahya Afridi, to take a firmer stand, warning that public trust in the judiciary was steadily eroding. 'We are witnessing a slow, calculated dismantling of every safeguard within our democratic and legal frameworks,' he said. Raising concerns over former Prime Minister Imran Khan's wellbeing in custody, Akram demanded immediate access for Khan's personal physicians, as well as a medical team from the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, which Khan founded. 'If anything happens to Imran Khan, the state will bear full responsibility,' he said, holding the Maryam Nawaz-led Punjab provincial government accountable for his treatment while detained. He further accused both the federal and Punjab governments of authoritarian overreach, citing custodial deaths, extrajudicial killings, and what he described as the 'unchecked power' of law enforcement agencies. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bilawal shoots down 27th amendment talk
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari speaks to the media after inaugurating the renovation of Niaz Stadium. Photo: X PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday dismissed as "baseless" speculation about any move to legislate a 27th Constitutional Amendment. Even as the 26th Amendment remains mired in controversy, the power corridors of Islamabad have been abuzz with rumours that a possible 27th Amendment could further alter the structure and functioning of the superior judiciary. The 26th Amendment had brought in sweeping changes to the judicial framework. Speaking to reporters at the launch of renovation works for Hyderabad's Niaz Stadium, Bilawal rubbished the "baseless rumours". "So far, no federal minister, prime minister or party member has approached me regarding any amendments." He underscored that the 26th Amendment was passed after reaching a consensus and with compromise from political parties. "PPP wanted constitutional courts, but we compromised," said Bilawal. Meanwhile on X (formerly Twitter), PPP's media wing quoted Bilawal as saying, "the 26th Constitutional Amendment is an eternal success. Judicial reforms and constitutional courts were a demand of the Charter of Democracy, but we prioritised a constitutional bench over a constitutional court for the sake of consensus". Commenting on India's stance on the Indus Waters Treaty, Bilawal asserted that Pakistan must receive its share of three rivers under the agreement, warning that if the treaty is not honoured, Pakistan would seek water from all six rivers under international law. He recalled visiting Hyderabad a year ago to inaugurate a water filtration plant and expressed satisfaction over the pace of ongoing projects by the provincial government. "In the past, some politicians sowed seeds of hatred here, but now Hyderabad will keep moving forward." Stressing the need to shift from traditional flood irrigation methods towards advanced water technology, he added.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bilawal bhutto launches Niaz stadium renovation, reaffirms commitment to corruption-free development
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan and current head of the Pakistan People's Party, leads a delegation to Washington, which played a key mediatory role in a ceasefire after Pakistan's conflict with India in May. Photo: AFP Listen to article Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari dismissed on Tuesday speculation on any potential legislation on a 27th Constitutional Amendment as "baseless". Even as the 26th Constitutional Amendment remains marred in controversy, power corridors in Islamabad have been abuzz with rumours of a possible 27th Constitutional Amendment. Speculation suggests that the potential amendment would bring further changes to the structure and functioning of superior judiciary. The 26th Amendment had brought in sweeping changes to the judicial framework. Speaking to reporters at the launch of renovation works for Hyderabad's Niaz Stadium, Bilawal rubished the "baseless rumours". 'So far, no federal minister, prime minister or party member has approached me regarding any amendments.' He underscored that the 26th Amendment was passed after reaching a consensus and with compromise from political parties. "PPP wanted constitutional courts, but we compromised,' said Bilawal. Read: Rumours swirl around '27th amendment' amid flurry of high-level meetings Meanwhile on X (formerly Twitter), PPP's media wing quoted Bilawal as saying, 'the 26th Constitutional Amendment is an eternal success. Judicial reforms and constitutional courts were a demand of the Charter of Democracy, but we prioritised a constitutional bench over a constitutional court for the sake of consensus'. '26ویں آئینی ترمیم محض ایک دور کی کامیابی نہیں بلکہ یہ ہمیشہ کی کامیابی ہے، عدالتی ریفامز اور آئینی عدالتیں چارٹر آف ڈیموکریسی کا مطالبہ تھا مگر ہم نے اتفاق رائے کیلئے آئینی عدالت کے بجائے آئینی بینچ کو ترجیح دی۔ چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری@BBhuttoZardari… — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) August 12, 2025 Commenting on India's stance on the Indus Waters Treaty, Bilawal asserted that Pakistan must receive its share of three rivers under the agreement, warning that if the treaty is not honoured, Pakistan would seek water from all six rivers under international law. He recalled visiting Hyderabad a year ago to inaugurate a water filtration plant and expressed satisfaction over the pace of ongoing projects by the provincial government. 'In the past, some politicians sowed seeds of hatred here, but now Hyderabad will keep moving forward.' Stressing the need to shift from traditional flood irrigation methods towards advanced water technology, he added, 'so far, we have only focused on flood irrigation. The federal government must move towards modernisation in the water sector".
