Deadlock continues between PPP and Govt over 27th Amendment draft

ISLAMABAD: The deadlock between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the federal government over the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment remains unresolved.

According to sources, details from the federal cabinet meeting—called specifically to approve the amendment draft—have emerged. The cabinet was scheduled to receive a briefing on the proposed amendment before granting approval.

Sources said the government’s coalition partners have yet to reach a consensus on the draft, while the PPP has already conveyed its reservations to the government.

Although parties including the MQM and PML-Q have given a green signal, the stalemate between the PPP and the government on the 27th Amendment continues.

Sources added that the PPP will present its proposed changes after internal consultations. A final decision on convening the federal cabinet meeting will be made once the government and coalition partners reach a consensus on the amendment draft.

Earlier, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Central Executive Committee (CEC) has rejected all but one provision of the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, following a detailed discussion during a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).

Speaking at a press briefing after the meeting, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said a delegation from the PML-N had approached the party seeking support for the amendment.

The proposed changes included the creation of a constitutional court, revisions to the NFC Award, reforms in education and population planning, restoration of executive magistracy, judicial transfers, and matters related to the Election Commission.

Bilawal stated that the only proposal the CEC agreed to support was the amendment pertaining to Article 243. He said the party outrightly rejected any move affecting the provincial share, adding that the PPP would not support such a proposal under any circumstances. All other points of the 27th Amendment, including changes to the NFC formula, were fully rejected.