ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s political landscape is witnessing renewed political activity, with speculation growing over a major constitutional development at the beginning of the new year.
Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry has claimed that the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment could be passed before January 15. He also indicated that an announcement regarding a referendum on the creation of new provinces could be made soon.
Speaking on a current affairs programme on a private television channel, Chaudhry said that two separate groups of lawyers were working on draft proposals for the 28th Constitutional Amendment. He added that a referendum on the creation of new provinces was also expected to be announced in the near future.
According to Chaudhry, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are opposed to the proposed development. He questioned whether the initiative would face the same fate as the canals issue and be blocked, or whether the establishment would succeed in bringing about a reset of the country’s political system.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary party recently decided to extend conditional support to the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment.
According to sources, a majority of participants at the parliamentary party meeting said the party would consider supporting the amendment if PTI founder Imran Khan were released from prison.
The latest developments have intensified political debate surrounding the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment. However, it remains unclear whether the amendment will be approved, what provisions it may contain, and whether a referendum on the creation of new provinces will be announced.
