PPP stalwart and former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani on Monday said that there was “no need” for a 28th Constitutional Amendment, saying that the Constitution could not “bear the burden” if it were to happen.
In a statement, he said, “The ruling elite should realise that the Constitution, 1973, cannot bear the burden of another amendment. There is no need for the 28th Constitutional Amendment.”
He said that the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments had already “defaced” a number of the original provisions of the Constitution, particularly those relating to the judiciary.
The former took away the Supreme Court’s suo motu power, while the latter made significant changes to the judicial system and the military’s chain of command.
Rabbani said the “transfer of a judge without his or her consent impinged on the independence of the judiciary”.
“The federal government should be looking at the backlash of these two amendments and, in consultation with the stakeholders, taking remedial measures,” he said.
He further said that new provinces and provincial autonomy were “no-go areas”, warning that any attempt to “fiddle with the existing arrangements to their detriment” would have very serious consequences for the federation.
The former Senate chairman said the federal government should stop violating Article 160 of the Constitution and focus on announcing a new National Finance Commission (NFC) Award before the budget.
He noted that the last NFC Award was announced in 2010.
Rabbani said that instead of blaming provincial autonomy for a lack of coordination, the federal government should stop violating Article 154 of the Constitution and convene meetings of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) once every three months.
He added that it had been over a year since the CCI last met and stressed that the solution lay in adhering to and implementing the Constitution of 1973.
The development comes as rumours abound about another constitutional amendment. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari last week said that the government had not contacted him or his father, President Asif Ali Zardari, regarding a constitutional amendment.
“The PPP’s role in the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments is evident to everyone. We did not allow the rights of the provinces to be reduced; instead, we expanded them. Through our amendments, Balochistan’s representation in the Senate increased,” he added.
Subsequently, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said he saw “no indications” of the 28th Constitutional Amendment. He noted that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement had long been demanding constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening local government systems.
Last November, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said that a 28th Constitutional Amendment, dealing with “public issues”, could be introduced if there is political consensus.
