PPP Backs Major Constitutional Changes in 27th Amendment

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari announced that his party will support the amendment to Article 243 and the formation of constitutional courts under the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment.

Speaking to the media after the PPP Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting, Bilawal said that the establishment of constitutional courts was one of PPP’s long-standing demands and was also part of the Charter of Democracy (CoD). He stated, “PPP supports the amendment to Article 243. The formation of constitutional courts was our demand from the beginning, and it was included in the Charter of Democracy.” Bilawal added that the party would engage with the government on the issue of constitutional courts and review other key points of the Charter of Democracy that have not yet been implemented.

Sources said the PPP’s CEC meeting witnessed a divided opinion on the government’s proposal concerning the appointment and transfer of judges. Some senior members believed that the authority for judges’ transfers should remain with the Judicial Commission, not the government. Bilawal agreed, saying that according to the Constitution, judges can be transferred only with the consent of the Chief Justice, and the Judicial Commission is the appropriate forum for such decisions.

Bilawal clarified that the PPP will not support the government’s proposed amendment related to dual citizenship for civil servants, stating that the party cannot back this clause. He further emphasized the importance of safeguarding provincial rights, saying, “Under the Constitution, provincial funds can increase but not decrease. As long as we are in Parliament, we will not allow any reduction in the rights of the provinces.”

Criticizing the Punjab government’s new local government law, Bilawal said it had abolished the position of Lahore’s mayor, which goes against democratic principles. He reminded that PPP has always prioritized local governance and was the party that gave the system constitutional protection.

Bilawal Bhutto confirmed that the PPP will support the 27th Amendment on three key points — the amendment to Article 243, the formation of constitutional courts, and the framework for judges’ transfers.