ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has tasked National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq with building political consensus ahead of the government’s plan to present the 27th Constitutional Amendment, sources told Geo News on Wednesday.
According to insiders, the proposed amendment aims to establish a Constitutional Court, modify the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, and amend Article 243 which deals with the supreme command of Pakistan’s armed forces. It also includes proposals for introducing executive magistrates, enabling transfer of judges, and revising provincial share protections in the NFC framework.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that discussions were underway with the PPP and other coalition partners including the MQM-P, ANP, and BAP before the draft’s finalization. To strengthen coordination, Speaker Sadiq has called a meeting of all parliamentary leaders in the Speaker’s Lounge at the Parliament House to review the proposed changes and explore a joint strategy for its passage.
Sources said invitations have also been extended to opposition parties such as the PTI and JUI-F. If consensus remains elusive, the government plans to rely on its own numerical strength in the National Assembly, where 237 members currently support the coalition more than the 224 votes required for a constitutional amendment.
The PML-N leads with 125 seats, followed by PPP’s 74, while coalition allies include MQM-P (22), PML-Q (5), IPP (4), and a few independents. In the Senate, the alliance holds 61 members and will need at least three additional votes to reach the two-thirds majority needed for passage.
Meanwhile, Speaker Sadiq is expected to hold one-on-one meetings with party leaders before the joint sitting, as the ruling coalition instructed all lawmakers to remain in Islamabad for the crucial session.
MQM-P Welcomes Move, Calls It Step Toward Good Governance Commenting on the amendment, MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said it aims to enhance governance efficiency and strengthen provincial harmony. Speaking to reporters, he stressed that the changes would bring judicial reforms and protect citizens’ rights.
Party leader Dr Farooq Sattar echoed that empowering local governments should be the next phase after the 18th Amendment, promoting “local autonomy” and resolving people’s everyday problems.
Vawda Meets Maulana Fazl for Support
Separately, Senator Faisal Vawda met JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad to discuss the amendment. Vawda said the conversation focused on national stability, not numbers, and expressed optimism that they had “sufficient support” to pass the constitutional changes.
He clarified that the 18th Amendment was not being rolled back but only reviewed through consensus, adding that Article 243 would be updated to include cyber and economic defence alongside traditional military domains. Vawda urged all parties, including the PTI, to engage constructively, warning that divisive politics would only harm the country.
