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ISLAMABAD, Nov 14 (APP):Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Friday described the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment as a “landmark achievement,” saying it would strengthen the country’s judicial system, deepen federal harmony and make the democratic process more inclusive.
Talking to the media after presenting the ‘Monthly Development Update November-2025,’ he said the amendment fulfilled a long-standing commitment made under the Charter of Democracy (CoD), signed in 2006 by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and endorsed unanimously by all political parties, including the opposition parties of the time.
“The constitutional court envisaged in the CoD was meant to strengthen national cohesion by ensuring representation from all provinces in the adjudication of major constitutional matters,” he said.
Ahsan Iqbal said the idea of a constitutional court had enjoyed national consensus for nearly two decades and was recognised as an important reform to remove any sense of deprivation among provinces regarding legal matters.
“From 2006 to 2025, no one has ever argued that this proposal weakens the judiciary. It was always acknowledged as a roadmap for a stronger, more inclusive judicial system,” he added.
He rejected criticism from certain quarters that the amendment undermined judicial independence, terming such objections “politically motivated.”
“Justice will only become stronger, not weaker. This reform increases trust among the federating units and enables the Supreme Court to function more efficiently by reducing unnecessary burdens on regular benches.”
The minister said the establishment of a constitutional court would help streamline the judicial process, allowing the Supreme Court to focus on day-to-day cases without the delays that often consumed weeks of the judges’ time. “By creating a more agile and efficient system, we are reinforcing the foundations of justice,” he added.
Ahsan Iqbal also highlighted the amendment’s relevance to national security architecture, saying that modern warfare required integrated decision-making rather than compartmentalised structures.
Just as land, air, sea, cyber and satellite domains worked together in contemporary defence, he said Pakistan’s institutional frameworks must also evolve with the same integration “This reform will strengthen not only the judiciary but also Pakistan’s defence preparedness.”
He criticised the opposition for what he described as “unnecessary disruption” during the passage of the amendment, saying they failed to present any counter-proposals in Parliament.
“Instead of tearing papers and raising slogans in defence of someone convicted of corruption, they should have engaged constructively if they truly believed in parliamentary democracy,” he said.
The minister said Pakistan needed stability, not chaos. “Pakistan does not need noise. It needs economic recovery, political recovery and collective hard work to compete in the new global economy,” he added.
Earlier, the minister briefed the media about initiatives under way at the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) to expand public access to data for evidence-based policymaking, business decisions and academic research.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Rs122 billion Green Pakistan Programme to restore ecosystems and enhance climate resilience by expanding forest cover.
“We are building an army of healthy, educated and capable children who will carry Pakistan into the future,” he said.
The minister said the government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was committed to steering Pakistan toward stability, resilience and long-term progress.
As per the monthly update, Pakistan’s economy continued its positive trajectory under the government’s prudent management, demonstrating resilience with a significant decline in inflation to 4.7% and a robust 11.4% growth in tax collections during Jul-Oct FY2025-26.
In a major push for sustainable development, the government, through the CDWP, processed 29 development proposals in October, approving 12 projects, 5 concept clearance papers and recommending 6 major initiatives to ECNEC with a cumulative investment of over Rs. 259 bn.
These strategic projects in agriculture, water, clean energy, and social protection are set to create more than 98,000 direct and indirect jobs and are complemented by rigorous fiscal discipline, achieving notable cost rationalization.
Concurrently, the government is strengthening future growth foundations through active engagements for foreign investment, the strategic advancement of CPEC Phase-II, and the launch of innovative data systems, collectively steering the nation confidently towards a path of inclusive and sustained economic growth.