Govt ‘mulls 27th amendment to ensure provinces’ rights’

After judicial reforms
Sanaullah says in upcoming constitutional change govt aims to incorporate laws requested by various parties
LAHORE
Following the judiciary-focused 26th Amendment passed earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari discussed the proposed “27th constitutional amendment centred on provincial rights” in a meeting today, sources said.
Both sides hailed the successful passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment on October 21, giving credit to all the allies.
The premier expressed gratitude to the PPP for supporting the PML-N-led coalition government’s efforts towards economic stability, doubling down on the commitment to serving the nation.
The coalition government’s initiatives led to significant disinflation, with other economic indicators also showing positive signs, he noted.
Pledging to work alongside the ruling PML-N to strengthen democracy and parliament, the PPP chief asserted that the 26th Amendment would serve as an effective legislation, blocking the path of undemocratic forces.
The sources privy to the matters informed the Geo News that the ruling parties agreed on introducing the 27th constitutional amendment aimed at addressing the concerns raised by the provinces.
The meeting also decided to take the opposition party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), the government’s ally Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), and other parties in confidence on the next major legislation, the sources added.
Adviser to the PM on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah confirmed that the top leaders of the ruling coalition discussed the 27th constitutional amendment in the Lahore meeting today.
The coalition government would aim to incorporate legislation requested by various parties in the upcoming constitutional amendment, he said, adding that both sides had yet to reach a consensus on certain points discussed in today’s meeting.
He specifically pointed to the MQM-P’s long-standing demand for legislation to empower local government, including a request to allocate funds to local government (LG) institutions similar to the financing provided to provincial administrations.