PML-N lawmaker tables resolution in Punjab Assembly
Lahore — A resolution supporting Pakistan’s 27th Constitutional Amendment was formally submitted to the Punjab Assembly Secretariat on Thursday. Earlier, the federal cabinet’s approval meeting on the same amendment was postponed amid ongoing consultations, according to a related report. The resolution was tabled by Hina Parvez Butt, a member of the Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N), expressing the provincial legislature’s backing for the proposed constitutional changes.
According to the text of the resolution, the House fully endorses the amendment and considers it a significant step toward ensuring institutional stability, transparency, and improved governance across the country.
Call for constitutional protection of local governments
The resolution highlights the need to grant constitutional protection to local government institutions, describing it as a necessity of the time. Lawmakers emphasized that empowering local bodies at the constitutional level would strengthen grassroots democracy and prevent future interference in their operations.
Analysts note that Pakistan’s local government system has faced repeated dissolutions and interruptions over the years, often following political transitions at the provincial or national level. Granting constitutional safeguards could make these institutions more resilient and accountable to citizens.
Support for proposed Constitutional Court and judicial reforms
The Punjab Assembly also welcomed the creation of a Constitutional Court, as outlined in the 27th Amendment draft. Lawmakers stated that such a body would enhance judicial independence, neutrality, and the overall quality of justice in the country.
The proposed court, which would comprise seven judges, is part of broader constitutional reforms under discussion at the federal level. Supporters argue that it would help resolve constitutional disputes more efficiently, while critics worry it may overlap with the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction.
Strengthening provincial autonomy and the Election Commission
In its resolution, the Assembly asserted that the 27th Amendment would reinforce provincial autonomy and help maintain a balanced federal structure—longstanding issues in Pakistan’s political system.
It further noted that the proposed measures to make the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) more independent and proactive represent progress in the right direction. Strengthening the ECP, lawmakers argued, would enhance electoral transparency and public confidence in democratic processes.
Lawmakers praise Prime Minister’s reform efforts
Concluding the resolution, the Punjab Assembly expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s efforts toward constitutional reform. Legislators voiced confidence that the 27th Constitutional Amendment would serve as a milestone in consolidating Pakistan’s democratic and constitutional framework.
Political observers say this endorsement from the country’s most populous province gives the federal government significant momentum, even as some coalition partners — including the Pakistan Peoples Party — remain opposed to certain provisions of the amendment.
If passed, the amendment could mark one of the most consequential shifts in Pakistan’s governance and institutional architecture in recent years.
