LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday firmly opposed any further amendments to the Constitution, saying that two changes from the incumbent parliament were “enough” and that the country’s supreme law cannot be altered repeatedly.
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Speaking to senior journalists in Lahore, Bilawal dismissed speculation surrounding a possible 28th Constitutional Amendment — rumours amplified by recent statements from Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah, who indicated that the amendment may soon be tabled.
Bilawal’s stance refers to the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments passed in October and November under the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition government. While the PML-N holds a simple majority with 131 seats in the National Assembly, it still requires the PPP’s support to secure the two-thirds majority — 224 votes — needed for any future constitutional revisions.
The ruling coalition also includes lawmakers from the MQM-Pakistan (22), PML-Q (5), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (4), PML-Zia (1), National Party (1), BAP (1), and four independents. The opposition commands 89 seats in the lower house. In the Senate, the government holds 61 seats compared to the opposition’s 35, leaving the coalition three votes short of the two-thirds threshold of 64.
Rana Sanaullah earlier stated that a proposed 28th Amendment would deal with matters related to education, population, and local governments — but only if political consensus is achieved.
‘Make South Punjab a province first’
Bilawal reiterated that any discussion on creating new provinces should begin with implementing the resolution already passed by the Punjab Assembly.
“The Senate commission declared that South Punjab should be made a province. First reach a consensus on South Punjab, then move forward,” he said, adding that he “cannot even think of dividing Punjab.”
He stressed that provinces should only be created where consensus exists and noted that legislation on local governments in Punjab would have faced resistance had a similar move been made in Sindh.
“They cannot digest my presence in Punjab — I tell them to come to Sindh,” he remarked, adding that the federal government should also appoint a governor in Sindh, as the position remains vacant.
Comments on PTI, Punjab government
Speaking about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Bilawal said he held no personal enmity with its founder, Imran Khan, but criticised his approach to politics. He added that the PTI government had failed in its governance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Bilawal also confirmed that the PPP would not be joining the Punjab cabinet, saying Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was “doing a good job”.
