ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday categorically rejected reports suggesting a plan to raise Pakistan’s voting age from 18 to 25, with Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal terming such claims “baseless” and part of a disinformation campaign.
Addressing growing speculation circulating on social media and in political commentary, the minister said there was “no such legislation under consideration” and no proposal to amend the voting age was being prepared or discussed by the government.
“There is absolutely no plan to increase the voting age,” Iqbal said in a post on X, accompanied by a video message. “We have full confidence in our youth and cannot even imagine depriving them of their fundamental right to vote.”
The clarification came amid an emerging political debate triggered by informal narratives and signalling in recent days. On Wednesday, five senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders incarcerated at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail had publicly opposed any move to alter the voting age, questioning whether unnamed forces were fearful of the political power of young voters.
Responding to the controversy, Iqbal said the reports were being deliberately floated by political opponents to mislead the public. He reiterated that the government had no intention of tabling any such bill, including in the upcoming joint session of parliament scheduled for Friday.
“Pakistan’s youth are our strength and our asset,” the minister said. “They are fully capable of deciding what is best for the country’s future.”
He concluded by strongly rejecting the speculation, stressing that all claims about increasing the voting age were “mere rumours” with no basis in policy or legislation.
