Fazlur Rehman Questions Speed of Proposed Amendment
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has cautioned the government against introducing a second constitutional amendment within a year, calling the move a dangerous game with the Constitution.
Speaking to the media after a meeting with a delegation from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Fazlur Rehman said that tampering with the country’s supreme law would erode public confidence in democracy.
No one should play with the Constitution, he emphasized. If amendments are pushed through under pressure or haste, how can citizens continue to trust the constitutional system?
Opposition Excluded from Amendment Draft
The JUI-F leader revealed that the opposition has not yet received the draft of the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, raising concerns over transparency and consultation. According to him, all opposition parties intend to adopt a unified stance on the issue once the text is shared.
He reminded journalists that in the past, the opposition had successfully persuaded the government to withdraw 34 contentious clauses from earlier proposals. However, he alleged that the government is now attempting to reintroduce similar provisions under a new amendment.
Draft Prepared Elsewhere, Claims JUI-F Chief
Fazlur Rehman alleged that a federal minister has been quietly working on the proposed amendment for the past three months — a sign, he said, that the amendment was drafted elsewhere and merely being pushed through Parliament.
He pointed out an apparent contradiction in the government’s approach, saying:
Only recently, Ishaq Dar expressed reservations over the 26th Amendment. Now he is bringing the 27th Amendment himself — that’s a clear inconsistency.
Calls for Transparency and Political Consensus
Earlier, outside Parliament House, Fazlur Rehman clarified that his recent meeting with Senator Faisal Vawda was a routine interaction and not linked to any political message or backdoor negotiation.
He stressed the need for open discussion and due process before any constitutional changes are made. Until the draft of the 27th Amendment is presented, it would be premature to comment, he said. Speculation helps no one.
Political Jibe at Bilawal Bhutto
In a lighter, sarcastic tone, the JUI-F chief referred to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, saying:
I’ve heard that Bilawal has leaked a paper — but it’s still unclear whether it was the real one or not.
Background and Context
Pakistan’s Constitution, adopted in 1973, has undergone 26 amendments to date, addressing issues from judicial reforms to provincial autonomy. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority in both the National Assembly and Senate — a high threshold meant to ensure broad political consensus.
The government’s move to introduce a new amendment within a year has therefore stirred unease among opposition parties, who fear it could set a precedent for frequent, politically motivated constitutional changes.
Observers say Fazlur Rehman’s comments reflect a broader anxiety about the fragility of institutional trust in Pakistan’s political system — where rapid constitutional shifts often mirror deeper struggles for power rather than genuine reform.
