Government’s Plan for 27th Constitutional Amendment
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has announced that the government is preparing to present the proposed 27th Constitutional amendment in Parliament. This move comes after completing consultations with all coalition partners and following the necessary legal procedures. The government sees this as a constitutional duty, and Dar emphasized that there should be no confusion regarding who will introduce the bill.
Dar highlighted his previous involvement in constitutional reforms, including the annulment of Article 58(2)(b). He stressed the importance of adhering to legal procedures and ensuring that every member of Parliament has the right to debate and share their opinions. The amendment will not be rushed through; instead, it will first be examined by relevant committees before any voting takes place.
The government values the input of its allies and has already engaged in several rounds of discussions with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and other coalition partners such as the MQM, ANP, and BAP. Dar stated that the draft will be finalized only after all coalition partners are on board.
He suggested that the Senate, given its experience in detailed lawmaking, could be the appropriate venue for introducing the amendment first. If the House agrees, he would recommend that the bill be tabled in the Senate for a thorough and constructive debate. Dar also proposed that the bill, once introduced, be referred to the Senate’s Law Committee headed by Senator Farooq H. Naek, while inviting members of the National Assembly’s Law Committee to participate. This approach aims to create a joint parliamentary mechanism and improve the quality of legislation.
Dar clarified that the amendment is entirely a government initiative, not influenced by external sources. He emphasized that the idea was prepared responsibly by the government after consulting coalition partners and legal experts.
Pakistan’s Diplomatic Efforts in Gaza
In addition to domestic matters, Dar spoke about Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to help end the ongoing violence in Gaza. He mentioned that Pakistan, along with seven other Muslim countries, has been actively working to stop the bloodshed and restore peace in Palestine.
Dar attended a recent meeting in Istanbul with foreign ministers and heads of state from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan. The main objectives of the meeting were to secure a ceasefire, ensure the flow of humanitarian aid, help displaced Palestinians return home, and prevent further Israeli expansion in the West Bank.
Pakistan has so far sent over 2,200 metric tons of relief goods to Gaza since the start of the crisis. Dar also noted that Turkey and Saudi Arabia have proposed another meeting to review the situation and devise a way forward.
Leadership Appointments in the Senate
Responding to a point raised by Senator Ali Zafar, Ishaq Dar emphasized that the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate must be made strictly according to the rules. He stated that it is the Senate Chairman’s duty to ensure that the person commanding the majority on opposition benches is formally appointed.
Dar added that there is no obstruction from the government side, and once the process is complete, the Chairman should proceed accordingly.