Minister of State for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik rejected claims that a possible 28th Constitutional Amendment would roll back the 18th Amendment. He called the impression “extremely false”.
Malik made the remarks on Geo News programme “Capital Talk” as political debate grew over possible constitutional changes. This happened ahead of Eid al-Adha.
The 18th Amendment, passed during the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government in 2010, devolved powers to provinces in many areas. These included health, women’s development, social welfare and local government.
Malik said no official work was currently underway on a constitutional amendment. However, he added that discussions had previously taken place on a single national curriculum, health, the National Finance Commission Award and Article 140A on local governments.
He said formal progress on any amendment involving national or public interest would be a positive development.
PPP lawmaker Agha Rafiullah warned during the programme that any move to reverse provisions of the 18th Amendment could create unrest. He said it would not be backed by his party.
Rafiullah said any constitutional proposal should be built on a broad public consensus rather than coercion. Malik also remarked on this in the programme.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Barrister Ali Zafar said reversing the 18th Amendment would amount to political suicide for the PPP. He argued that the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz may not reach an agreement on that point.
