- Barrister Gohar vows to resist amendment, says move undermines House and public mandate
- Warns against deepening divisions amid political tension, rising terrorism, and economic strain
- Tariq Fazal assures provinces won’t lose autonomy, defending amendment goals—better governance, stronger federation, and defence synergy
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Wednesday termed the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment an “attack on the House,” vowing that his party would strongly oppose it inside and outside Parliament.
Addressing the National Assembly, Gohar warned that the PTI would resist any move that undermined provincial autonomy or parliamentary independence. “We will raise our voice against it as it is an attack on the House,” he said, urging lawmakers not to push through amendments that could deepen divisions in an already polarized polity.
According to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the proposals under discussion reportedly include the creation of constitutional courts, restoration of executive magistrates, amendments to Article 243 related to the command of the armed forces, and changes affecting provincial shares under the National Finance Commission (NFC).
Gohar reminded the House that during the passage of the 26th Amendment, the PTI had made “great efforts” in consultation with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, but “this time, we won’t need to visit his home or sit in committees.” He asserted that constitutional amendments anywhere in the world “happen with consensus and according to national needs.”
The PTI chairman said the 27th Amendment was “against the spirit of the Constitution,” stressing that the country could not afford further fragmentation. “Amending the Constitution is this House’s right—but it is the right of those who have the people’s mandate,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s democracy was “fragile” and public faith in institutions, especially the judiciary, was already weak.
Gohar recalled that the 18th Amendment (2010) was a milestone passed “with consensus and unity,” earning global recognition. By contrast, he said, the 26th Amendment was introduced with 56 proposed changes—later reduced to 25 and finally 18—many of which PTI opposed, particularly those relating to the constitutional bench, tenure of judges, and Election Commission’s structure.
“This is a time when the nation is divided, tensions are high, terrorism is resurging, and the economy is struggling. Please, be concerned about Pakistan’s security,” he said.
Govt assures no rollback of 18th Amendment
Responding to opposition concerns, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry categorically stated that the 18th Amendment would not be rolled back and dismissed what he called “negative and false propaganda” surrounding the 27th Amendment.
He said the new amendment aimed to improve governance, strengthen the federation, and bolster defence, not to encroach upon provincial autonomy. “There is no plan to take over control of provincial education boards or institutions—we are only discussing a uniform syllabus,” he clarified.
Chaudhry stressed that no step would be taken to weaken the federation or the relationship between provinces and the Centre. He said all allies and stakeholders would be taken on board before finalising the draft, and that matters related to the NFC award would also be decided through consultation.
The minister regretted that the 26th Amendment had earlier been wrongly portrayed as an attack on judicial independence, adding that the proposed constitutional court would, in fact, help reduce the backlog of pending cases. He reminded lawmakers that the court’s establishment had already been agreed upon in the Charter of Democracy (2006) signed between the PML-N and PPP.
He underlined that constitutional amendments require a two-thirds parliamentary majority, not unanimity, but assured that “the spirit of the Constitution will be followed.”
Responding to PTI’s demand for a meeting between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, Chaudhry said a procedure under the jail manual already allows meetings with family members and legal counsel.
PTI submits NA resolution for CM’s meeting with Imran Khan
Meanwhile, PTI lawmakers submitted a resolution in the National Assembly calling for an official meeting between KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Imran Khan.
The resolution affirmed that “consultation between elected representatives and their political leadership is a cornerstone of parliamentary democracy,” adding that the CM, as head of the provincial government, must be able to consult his leader on matters of governance and mandate.
Calling the denial of access a “violation of democratic norms,” the resolution urged both federal and Punjab governments to implement the Islamabad High Court’s orders permitting such a meeting “in letter and spirit.”
It stated that the meeting would constitute “an official and legitimate consultation between the Chief Executive of the Province and the leader of the largest parliamentary party,” in keeping with democratic and federal principles.
Afridi, who was denied a meeting with Imran for the fourth time since taking office, has termed consultation with the PTI founder “crucial” for forming his provincial cabinet.
