Government intensifies consultations on 28th constitutional amendment

Pakistan may once again be moving toward a significant constitutional development as discussions over a proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment gain momentum in political and policy circles across the country.

According to political sources the government has intensified its consultations on the proposed amendment with the upcoming week in May being viewed as highly important for its possible legislative progress.

Sources further said that unusual and increased political activity has been observed within key state institutions, as a series of high-level consultation meetings continue ahead of any formal move in Parliament.

The matter has also been increasingly reflected in recent sessions of both the National Assembly and the Senate, indicating active behind-the-scenes deliberations.

The issue was also reportedly discussed during a recent meeting between the President of Pakistan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which was attended by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq along with other senior government officials.

Following these discussions, the Speaker has held extensive consultations with parliamentary leaders and has been assigned the responsibility of building consensus among major coalition partners, particularly the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which remain key stakeholders in the legislative process.

However, sources indicate that the PPP continues to have reservations regarding certain elements of the proposed amendment. Efforts are currently underway at multiple levels to address these concerns and bring the party on board.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, and Federal Minister Rana Sanaullah are reportedly actively engaged in negotiations, while Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is also said to be playing a supporting role in the consultation process.

Sources further claimed that as part of efforts to secure political consensus proposals related to development projects in Sindh may also be incorporated into the upcoming federal budget as a potential incentive for the PPP.

Separately a detailed consultative meeting was reportedly held at the Presidency, attended by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other senior party leaders.

During the session officials from the Finance Ministry briefed participants on the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award as well as broader fiscal distribution arrangements between the federation and the provinces.

According to sources the government is now considering introducing the proposed amendment around May 21, subject to achieving broader political agreement among coalition partners.

The expected changes are likely to focus on revisions related to the NFC Award and other governance-related matters while proposals regarding the creation of new provinces are not part of the current draft, sources added.

Officials maintain that consultations are still ongoing at multiple levels, and lawmakers have been advised to remain in Islamabad as political deliberations continue ahead of any potential constitutional move.