ISLAMABAD – Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday that clarity on the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment is expected within the next few days, after which the bill may be tabled in parliament next week. He assured that ongoing consultations would ensure no rollback of the 18th Amendment, which devolved key powers to the provinces.
Speaking to Geo News, the minister said discussions were continuing on amendments related to the armed forces, particularly Article 243, which defines the federal government’s command over the military. He emphasized that “defence requirements have changed,” and constitutional adjustments were being considered accordingly.
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In the National Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry dismissed “false propaganda” surrounding the proposed amendment, clarifying that there was no plan to centralize control over provincial education or population affairs. “We are just talking about a uniform syllabus,” he said, stressing that the amendment aims to strengthen governance, defence, and federal–provincial ties.
Opposition lawmakers, including PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, demanded that the government seek broad consensus before any constitutional change. Gohar warned that the 27th Amendment could undermine judicial independence and reverse provincial autonomy gained under the 18th Amendment. He also urged the government to comply with the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling ensuring civilians tried by military courts have the right to appeal.
Read More: PM Shehbaz tasks NA speaker with building consensus on 27th amendment
Meanwhile, journalists staged a walkout from the National Assembly Press Gallery to protest job cuts and restrictions on media freedom. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar met with representatives of the Parliamentary Reporters Association, pledging to raise the issue with media owners next week. He assured that the government would work to protect the rights of journalists and ensure fair distribution of financial benefits to media staff.