Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah distributed compensation checks to victims of the Gul Plaza incident in a ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s House in Karachi. SCREENSHOT
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday categorically rejected reports of a 28th constitutional amendment, saying no legislation was possible without the consent of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
Speaking to reporters after Eid prayers in Sehwan, the Sindh chief minister said no discussions had taken place within the party regarding the proposed amendment and no draft had been presented.
“No one talked about dividing the province or the city, and nothing was discussed regarding the revision of the price of the National Finance Commission (NFC). I categorically state that no project was shared with the PPP,” he said.
CM Shah added that no constitutional amendment could be passed without the consent of the PPP and only the media was speculating on this issue.
Regarding the upcoming provincial budget, he said the new financial plan would be “difficult” due to rising inflation, which he linked to the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel.
He said the Sindh budget would be “citizen-friendly”, adding that any decision regarding salary increases would be taken in consultation with the federal government.
Read: No progress on 28th constitutional amendment, says Justice Minister
Rumors are circulating about the 28th Amendment; however, the government and the PPP have categorically denied them.
The debate further intensified when the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, said: the government was considering raising the voting age during discussions on the proposed amendment.
Dismissing speculation about the PML-N-led government’s plans to introduce another package of constitutional amendments, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said there was currently “no sign” of the 28th Amendment. “Any movement towards constitutional changes will only be made after consultation with coalition partners and other stakeholders,” he said.
Later, Information Minister Atta Tarar denied rumors that the government was considering raising the minimum voting age to 25, saying there was no need to respond to unverified claims.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also said his party had not been consulted on any proposed constitutional amendments, signaling further tensions within the ruling coalition over key legislative issues and the upcoming federal budget.
Read also: PPP scorns government’s 28th adjustment plan
Bilawal said that although he and President Asif Ali Zardari remained in touch with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government was yet to formally engage the PPP on new legislative projects.
He also highlighted the party’s central role in the coalition’s parliamentary strength, warning that constitutional amendments and the adoption of the budget would not be possible without the support of the PPP.
“The government has not contacted the PPP regarding any new constitutional amendment,” Bilawal said, adding that the party had not been taken into confidence on the issue.
