PM aide says constitutional reforms will only be pursued after consensus among all political stakeholders is reached
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah. SCREENGRAB
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah pushed back on Saturday against speculation of an imminent constitutional amendment, saying no such move would proceed without broad political consensus among all stakeholders.
Rumours about a proposed 28th constitutional amendment have been doing the rounds since last year and have gotten stronger as of late. Amid growing speculation, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said a day earlier that the government had not contacted his party regarding any proposed constitutional amendment, while warning that the passage of any such legislation would not be possible without its support.
Speaking during a private television programme “Jirga”, Sanaullah remained non-committal when asked about the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment.
Read: No move on 28th constitutional amendment, says law minister
“It is settled that whatever amendment comes will be the 28th Amendment, because the 27th has already been done. So now, we should expect the 28th Amendment,” he said.
However, he did not confirm whether such an amendment was under consideration, adding that the issues potentially linked to a 28th amendment were of fundamental importance and remained part of ongoing dialogue between political parties and their leadership.
Responding to a question, he endorsed Bilawal’s stance that no constitutional amendment could be passed without the PPP’s support.
“Yes, absolutely. He is correct in saying that no amendment can be made without them, and he is also right to the extent that they have not been informed that we are going to bring any 28th Amendment,” he said.
He added, however, that the PPP was itself aware of the issues at hand and also had proposals for resolving them.
“Consensus-building has not yet begun. Until there is consensus, no move will be made towards any amendment,” he said.
Also Read: PPP pours scorn on govt’s 28th tweak plan
Discussing broader governance and fiscal matters, including local government systems, the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, population control, and resource distribution, he said the existing framework left the federal government with very limited fiscal space after debt servicing and defence expenditure.
“The distribution of resources between the provinces and the federation under the NFC leaves the federation with almost nothing after paying external debt and defence charges,” he said, adding that the matter was under serious consideration and required a workable solution.
Expressing concern over a potential future water crisis, the adviser said India was planning to construct five to six dams on the Chenab River, projects that he said could be completed by 2029–30.
He warned that in such a scenario, India would be in a position to control the river’s flow.
“India will weaponise water. When we need it, they may block it, and when we do not need it, they may suddenly release it, causing floods here,” he said.
He added that Pakistan should urgently consider alternative strategies, including the construction of water reservoirs, to address the potential challenge.
