Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has warned that his party will not accept any amendment to Article 243 that undermines democracy or weakens constitutional institutions.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Maulana Fazl said that the draft of the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment has not been made public yet, making it premature to issue detailed comments. He cautioned, however, that reviving any of the 35 clauses withdrawn during the 26th Amendment would amount to disrespecting the Constitution.
The JUI-F chief reiterated his party’s commitment to provincial autonomy, stating that the 18th Amendment had strengthened the federation by empowering provinces. “JUI-F advocates for granting provinces greater authority, not diminishing their rights. Provincial powers can be expanded, but reduction is unacceptable,” he asserted.
Article 243 of the Constitution vests the supreme command of the armed forces in the President and places their control under the federal government. The government is reportedly considering introducing a new position titled “Commander of Defence Forces” under the 27th Amendment to enhance coordination among the armed services.
Fazl also criticised the government for its slow progress on implementing interest-free financial reforms and for attempting to bring religious seminaries under the Ministry of Education. “This effort to place madrassas under government control is unacceptable,” he said.
He stressed the importance of collective decision-making and natural governance, noting that during the 26th Amendment process, all parliamentary parties remained in contact. “Society cannot accept an unnatural system; natural governance must prevail,” he remarked.
His comments come as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) continues efforts to secure support for the 27th Amendment, which also includes proposals for a Constitutional Court and changes to the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award — the latter opposed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
