The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced its strong opposition to the federal government’s proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment. Party leaders have labelled the proposed changes an attack on provincial autonomy and the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi stated that the PTI would resist any move that undermines the democratic mandate of the provinces. He made these remarks to journalists after a parliamentary party meeting.
Chief Minister Afridi did not mince words in his criticism. He called the amendment a “robbery of provincial autonomy” and a “direct attack on the rights of the federating units.”
He emphasised that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is owed its full financial share under the NFC Award. “Our rightful amount exceeds Rs7.5 billion,” Afridi said. “There will be no compromise on provincial autonomy.”
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan echoed these concerns on the National Assembly floor. He warned that the amendment threatens the constitutional balance between the central government and the provinces.
Read: Pakistan’s 27th Constitutional Amendment: Legislative Timeline and Process
He defended the 18th Amendment as a landmark consensus achievement. Barrister Gohar stated that the NFC Award has always remained intact and that the proposed changes contradict the spirit of the constitution.
The ruling coalition, led by the PML-N, is currently in discussions with its partners to build consensus on the amendment. The proposed changes include establishing a Constitutional Court and making adjustments to the NFC Award.
In a separate parliamentary move, PTI lawmakers submitted a resolution in the National Assembly. It demands that CM Afridi be allowed to meet with the imprisoned PTI founder, Imran Khan, for “constitutional and democratic consultation.”
The resolution, signed by 34 PTI members, argues that consultation with the head of the country’s largest political party is a democratic necessity.
