Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday denied reports that the federal government has approached his party to secure its support for a potential 28th Constitutional Amendment, saying he would share any developments if they occurred.
“No talks have taken place yet on the 28th Amendment; I do not know about tomorrow,” he told journalists while addressing the PPP’s parliamentary party meeting. He recalled that he had informed the public of the 27th Amendment, adding both it and the earlier 26th Amendment had secured provincial rights. Through the PPP’s efforts, he claimed, the representation of all provinces in the Supreme Court and Federal Constitutional Court had been ensured.
The PPP chief was questioned on a potential 28th Amendment amidst reports that the government is planning to introduce sweeping changes—though State Minister for Law Aqeel Malik has asserted that no “official” work has commenced on any such legislation.
During the meeting, the PPP chief also constituted a four-member committee comprising MNAs Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Naveed Qamar and senators Saleem Mandviwala and Sherry Rehman to advance budget negotiations with the federal government. He stressed the center could not pass either the budget, or amend the Constitution, without the PPP’s support.
Warning that the upcoming budget could bring greater hardships for the public, Bhutto-Zardari said the country was facing an economic crisis, with inflationary pressures on citizens mounting nationwide. In this regard, he said, he welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s relief measures to mitigate the difficult times.
He hoped the Iran-U.S. war would soon end and reduce the country’s difficulties. He said the PPP fully support the federal government’s efforts to negotiate peace, emphasizing that “as Pakistanis we are united on such matters.” He said his party wanted the regional situation to return to normal before it discussed “the government’s performance and promises.” Referring to tensions with India, he recalled that he had raised his voice in defense of the country on various international platform during last year’s war.
The PPP chief also addressed amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), noting that his party principally sought its abolition. “Due to the government’s compulsions, the PPP supported the new amendments, but if the government fails to fulfil its commitments to the PPP, the party can reconsider its decisions,” he added.