During the second day of its Central Executive Committee meeting, the PPP reaffirmed its opposition to most provisions in the draft amendment, agreeing only to the proposed revisions in Article 243 related to appointments in the armed forces.
In response to the PPP’s position, the government postponed the federal cabinet meeting scheduled for Friday, which had been set to approve the draft.
A day earlier, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari stated that his party opposed any move affecting provincial autonomy or the NFC Award formula, emphasizing equal representation for all four provinces in the planned Constitutional Court.
Meanwhile, coalition partners, including MQM-Pakistan and PML-Q, reiterated their backing for the government’s amendment plan. Opposition parties in the Senate, however, outrightly rejected the proposal, accusing the ruling coalition of avoiding parliamentary debate.
In a joint statement, opposition legislators alleged that the PML-N, PPP, and their allies were “bulldozing” legislation and concealing details of the amendment from Parliament.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah claimed that consensus had been reached on major issues, saying: “Talks are underway, and we are not touching the 18th Amendment. Matters will likely be settled by this evening.”
Federal Minister Rana Tanveer also said substantial progress had been achieved, though the amendment was “not being tabled today.” PML-N Senator Afnanullah confirmed that PPP had agreed to Article 243, with further efforts ongoing to resolve remaining differences.
Separately, PTI leader Asad Qaiser dismissed any attempt by the government to amend the Constitution, asserting that the current Parliament “has no authority to legislate.” He accused the PPP of political compromise and condemned the government’s conduct over police operations at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House.
According to The News, the proposed amendment suggests creating a Commander of Defence Forces post to enhance coordination among the three armed services. It also calls for a seven-member Constitutional Court, with judges to retire at 68.
Sources cited by the publication said five judges would likely be chosen from the existing Supreme Court bench, with Justice Aminuddin Khan expected to head the new court, while judges from the Sindh and Balochistan High Courts are also being considered.
