Bilawal says government has not contacted PPP on new amendment plan

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Thursday that the government had not contacted his party over any proposed new constitutional amendments, while warning that the passage of such legislation would not be possible without its support.

Rumors about a proposed 28th constitutional amendment have been circulating since last year and have gained strength in recent times. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, had even said in November that the government would soon introduce the amendment before Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry rejected such a move.

Bilawal today chaired a meeting of the party’s parliamentary committee, attended by members of the National Assembly and the Senate, where he addressed the issue while speaking to journalists.

Responding to questions, Bilawal said he and President Asif Ali Zardari remained in touch with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, but stressed that no consultations had taken place with the PPP on a new constitutional amendment.

Read: Nationalists sound the alarm against the attempt at “federal control”

“Without the PPP, the adoption of constitutional amendments and the federal budget would not be possible,” he said.

He said the PPP top committee would present its budget proposals to the government, adding that a four-member team comprising Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Saleem Mandviwalla, Sherry Rehman and Naveed Qamar had been formed for the purpose.

Highlighting his party’s role in the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments, he said this was obvious to everyone. “We did not allow the rights of provinces to be reduced, but we expanded them. With our amendments, the representation of Balochistan in the Senate increased,” he added.

Bilawal said the PPP stood with the government on all constitutional amendments and national issues.

Referring to last year’s tensions with India, he said he had elevated Pakistan’s position on international media platforms during the conflict, while leading a peace committee at the request of the prime minister.

He added that during the tensions between Iran and the United States, the PPP fully supported the federal government. “As Pakistanis, we unite on these issues,” he said.

Welcoming the government’s mediation efforts, Bilawal said the prime minister and the field marshal were working for peace and to ease Iran-US tensions. “We want the situation to return to normal, after which we will discuss the government’s performance and promises,” he said, praying for the success of the leaders’ peace efforts.

He added that Pakistan’s foreign policy was moving in the right direction and was being shaped in the national interest.

Read also: The PPP gives the government a month to keep the coalition’s promises

On the economic situation, Bilawal said difficulties seemed to be increasing rather than decreasing and warned that the next budget would be difficult. He said the government should make aid-oriented decisions in light of the current economic difficulties.

Referring to the amendments to the National Accountability Bureau Act, he said the PPP had made its position clear to the government, recalling that the party had always sought to abolish the anti-graft body.

He said due to government constraints, the PPP had supported the recent amendments, but warned that the party might reconsider its decisions if commitments were not met.

He reiterated that the economic situation remained serious and was expected to worsen, adding that even if an agreement between Iran and the United States materialized, difficulties would persist. He urged the government to prepare the budget keeping in mind the economic challenges.

No move to overturn 18th Amendment, says Malik

A day ago, Minister of State for Law Aqeel Malik dismissed speculation about any attempt to overturn the 18th constitutional amendment, calling the impression “extremely false”.

Speaking on a private television show Discussion on the capitalthe minister noted that “the 28th comes naturally after the 27th”, but categorically stated that no formal work was currently underway on any constitutional amendment.

“After the 26th and 27th amendments, some issues are no longer hidden. Conversations had started on these issues and a process of dialogue had been initiated, but it did not continue,” he said.

Replying to a question, the state minister said these issues were part of the discussions that were going on since the 26th and 27th amendments.

“If we are discussing a single national agenda alongside health, there is nothing secret about it. Discussions regarding the NFC award also took place during deliberations on the 27th Amendment,” Malik said, adding that Article 140A relating to local governments was also discussed.

He rejected the suggestion that a possible 28th Amendment would overturn the 18th Amendment, calling such claims “extremely false.”

“The impression created that the 28th Amendment, if introduced, would amount to a rollback of the 18th Amendment, is completely misleading,” Malik said.

He added that the 18th Amendment was adopted in light of the circumstances prevailing at the time, but argued that changing conditions did not mean it could not be revisited.