Law minister dismisses claims of 28th Amendment rolling back 18th Amendment

ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik has rejected the impression that any possible 28th Constitutional Amendment would reverse the 18th Amendment, describing that claim as baseless.

“This impression being created that if the 28th Amendment is introduced, it is a rollback of the 18th Amendment — I believe an extremely false impression is being created,” Malik said speaking on Geo News programme Capital Talk.

His remarks came as political discussion intensified over reports of deliberations on a possible constitutional amendment before Eid ul Adha, which is expected to fall on May 27.

The 18th Amendment was passed in 2010 during the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government. It has remained the subject of repeated debate, with some quarters calling for changes, while the PPP has strongly opposed any such move and pledged to resist attempts to alter it.

The amendment transferred a range of powers to the provinces, including in the areas of health, women’s development, social welfare and local government.

No official work under way, says Malik

During the programme, Malik said there was currently no official work taking place on any constitutional amendment. However, he said broader national matters had been discussed in the past.

“If we discuss a single national curriculum alongside health, this is no secret. Conversations regarding the NFC Award also took place during the 27th Amendment,” he said, and added that Article 140A, which relates to local governments, had also come under discussion.

Malik said that if any formal movement towards a constitutional amendment took place on matters of national or public interest, it would be a positive step.

PPP warns against reversing 18th Amendment

PPP leader Agha Rafiullah warned against any effort to undo provisions of the 18th Amendment, saying such a step could lead to instability in the country.

“Do not do something that spreads anarchy in the country,” he said, while adding that the PPP would not back any measure that would amount to its “political suicide”.

Rafiullah also said that any constitutional proposal should emerge through broad public consensus rather than coercion.

PTI senator comments on political implications

PTI Senator Barrister Ali Zafar said the PPP and PML-N had previously engaged in what he called “sham fights”, but maintained that reversing the 18th Amendment would amount to political suicide for the PPP. “So perhaps they might not be able to reach an agreement on this point,” he added.

The discussion reflects continuing political sensitivity around the 18th Amendment, which has remained a central issue in debates over the distribution of powers between the federation and the provinces.