ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik has dismissed the notion that a potential 28th Constitutional Amendment would reverse the 18th Amendment, describing such claims as “highly misleading.” Speaking on a current affairs programme, Malik emphasized that the idea of rolling back the 18th Amendment through the 28th is a misconception.
This statement comes amid intensifying political discussions about a possible constitutional amendment ahead of Eid ul Adha, anticipated on May 27. The 18th Amendment, enacted during the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led government in 2010, has long been a subject of debate, with some factions advocating for modifications. However, the PPP has firmly opposed any changes, pledging to resist attempts to alter the amendment.
The 18th Amendment notably decentralized authority to provinces on matters including health, women’s development, social welfare, and local governance. During the programme, Malik clarified that no formal steps are currently underway to amend the constitution, though broader national issues have been previously discussed. He cited examples such as the national curriculum, health policies, and the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, which were topics during the 27th Amendment discussions. Additionally, Article 140A concerning local governments was also part of these talks.
Malik expressed that any official progress toward constitutional amendments addressing national or public interests would be a constructive development. Meanwhile, PPP leader Agha Rafiullah cautioned against any efforts to reverse the 18th Amendment’s provisions, warning that such actions could provoke instability across the country. He urged that constitutional changes should emerge from wide public consensus rather than coercion, asserting that PPP would not endorse measures leading to its “political suicide.”
In a related comment, PTI Senator Barrister Ali Zafar noted that the PPP and PML-N have engaged in superficial disputes in the past. He argued that undoing the 18th Amendment would be politically disastrous for the PPP, suggesting that this reality might prevent any agreement on the matter.
