The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting witnessed a heated debate over the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, with several senior members expressing dissatisfaction with key clauses of the draft. According to reports, most senior PPP leaders voiced concern over possible changes being linked to the 27th Constitutional Amendment, advising the federal government not to tamper with NFC Award provisions or Article 160(3A), which guarantees provincial shares in the federal divisible pool. Party members reportedly warned that any attempt to alter the 18th Amendment through the 27th Constitutional Amendment would be “political suicide” and could trigger fresh disputes between the federation and the provinces. Sources said the federal government is considering amendments to Article 142 and the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution to transfer certain administrative powers – including education and population management – back to the federal government. However, PPP leaders strongly opposed this proposal, arguing that education and population-related powers must remain with the provinces as per the spirit of the 18th Amendment. The CEC members advised the government to avoid any changes that could undermine provincial autonomy, reiterating that PPP will not support any rollback of devolution achieved through the 18th Amendment. According to sources, the CEC will meet again today at 4pm. The ruling PML-N has sought a broad political agreement on the proposed constitutional tweaks for establishing a Constitutional Court and making certain changes to the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. This tweak also sought to amend Article 243 – which pertains to the supreme command of the armed forces – as well as several other key constitutional adjustments, according to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. Other proposals included the introduction of executive magistrates, provisions for the transfer of judges, and the removal of protections related to provincial shares in the NFC Award. Prior to this meeting, PPP leader Shazia Marri said that her party will not support any constitutional amendment that seeks to roll back provincial autonomy guaranteed under the 18th Amendment. Speaking to journalists in Karachi, Marri said PPP has always stood for strengthening the provinces and cannot endorse any proposal that reverses the powers granted to them.
PPP CEC ‘fails’ to reach consensus on new constitutional tweak
Published on: November 7, 2025 2:32 AM