The president of PPP, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, dismissed on Tuesday any possible legislation on a 27th constitutional amendment such as “rumors without foundation.”
Although amendment 26 is still involved in controversy, power corridors in Islamabad are full of conversation of a possible 27th constitutional amendment, which, according to insiders, will “adjust” the structure and functioning of the superior judiciary.
With the 26th amendment, the government introduced radical changes in the judicial framework. The sources had said that certain contentious matters, as a separate Constitutional Court, left unsolved in the 26th amendment, would now be taken in the new amendment.
In statements to journalists in Hyderabad on the matter, Bilawal went to “Rumors without foundation”, stating: “Until now, no federal minister, prime minister or member of the party has approached me with respect to any amendment.”
He also stressed that the 26th amendment was approved after reaching a consensus with the commitment of the political parties. “PPP wanted constitutional courts, but we committed ourselves,” he said.
In an X publication, the PPP cited it by saying: “The 26th Constitutional amendment is an eternal success. Judicial reforms and constitutional courts were a claim of the Charter of Democracy, but we prioritized a constitutional bank over a Constitutional Court by consensus.”
Although speculations abound, there has not been an official word regarding the 27th constitutional amendment. At present, the proposal to further reform the judiciary is at a very initial stage, but it is reported that the consultations are underway within the PML-N ruling and some legal circles. Despite these alleged consultations, any draft of this bill proposed has not yet seen the light of day.
On Sunday, the senior leader of PTI, Asad Qaiser, said the party would address the legal fraternity after the “new drama” around legislation. “In this case, we will approach the Bar Association regarding this legislation,” he said, adding: “We will begin by meeting with the Islamabad Bar Association this month.”
In June, in the midst of speculation in legal circles on the Government that plans to bring the 27th amendment, the Bar Association of the Superior Court of Islamabad supported the amendment while requested large -grassroid judicial reforms, including the national rotation of judges.
NFC Award
While answering a question about the award of the National Commission of Finance (NFC), Bilawal said: “Absolutely. The changes must come in NFC.”
He continued: “The previous NFC award was awarded before approving the 18th amendment, which was before 2010”.
He said that several responsibilities of the federal government were delivered to the provinces, adding: “But the NFC is the same as before the amendment 18”.
The president of the PPP continued: “The Constitution says that the NFC award must be awarded regularly after five years. It is already mentioned that the actions of the provincial governments cannot be reduced in the new NFC awards.”
“All provinces must receive more resources according to the greatest responsibilities after amendment 18”.
He added: “We must immediately call NFC and award new awards. All provinces must receive resources according to the 18th amendment.”
