Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, warning that it could severely compromise judicial independence and disrupt the existing balance of power.
Senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser stated that his party firmly opposes the amendment being advanced by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). He said the proposed changes, particularly those concerning the judiciary and the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, would lead to political instability and weaken the constitutional structure.
Qaiser Says Amendment Threatens Judicial Independence
According to Qaiser, the 27th Amendment aims to establish a Constitutional Court — a move PTI believes will undermine the authority of the current judicial system. He argued that this proposal, similar to earlier constitutional benches created through the 26th Amendment, would “abolish judicial independence.”
The PTI leader also said his party had previously submitted a proposal to include the right to appeal in the high court following convictions handed down by military courts. He emphasized that any attempt to reduce judicial autonomy would face strong resistance from his party.
Warning Over NFC Award and Provincial Shares
Qaiser expressed deep concern over reported attempts to alter the NFC Award through the amendment. He warned that tampering with the NFC formula — which determines the distribution of financial resources between the federation and provinces — could trigger “chaos in the country.”
He added that smaller provinces were already expressing dissatisfaction over receiving less than their fair share of funds. Changing the NFC structure, he said, would further strain the federation’s unity and harm provincial relations.
PTI Open to Talks with PPP
Despite its opposition to the amendment, PTI has signaled openness to dialogue with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Qaiser said his party is ready to engage with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on protecting the Constitution and safeguarding the NFC Award.
He recognized the PPP as one of the founding forces behind the 1973 Constitution and the 18th Amendment, both of which were achieved through political consensus. Qaiser urged the PPP to once again uphold its legacy of defending constitutional principles.
Call for Neutrality in the National Assembly
Asad Qaiser also urged the Speaker of the National Assembly to act impartially and promptly announce the opposition leader’s appointment. PTI has nominated Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai for the role after Omar Ayub’s disqualification in the May 9 cases.
Qaiser noted that key institutional appointments, including those to the Election Commission, cannot proceed until the opposition leader is officially named.
PTI’s rejection of the 27th Constitutional Amendment marks another major political flashpoint in Pakistan’s ongoing constitutional debate. While warning against centralizing power and disrupting fiscal arrangements, PTI has simultaneously extended a conditional olive branch to the PPP, emphasizing dialogue over division.
