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ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (APP):The National Assembly on Wednesday resumed debate on the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
Participating in the discussion, Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) Chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai said his party would extend unconditional support to any constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening parliamentary supremacy and protecting citizens’ rights.
Speaking during the debate on the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, Achakzai said, “The Constitution is the guarantor of Pakistan’s protection. We must ensure that this House remains supreme and that all policy decisions are made here. If all political parties commit to this, it will pave the way to saving Pakistan.”
He said that “politics is the work of calm minds” and urged political rivals to exercise restraint and tolerance, even when faced with verbal attacks. He also called for unity among all political forces, saying, “Let us work together to build a democratic Pakistan.”
On the regional situation, Achakzai cautioned that prudence was needed, urging leaders of Iran, Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan to “act wisely” and resolve disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation. “We must not become part of others’ wars,” he said, warning that external powers could exploit the region’s resources by sowing conflict.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) legislator Dr. Nafisa Shah highlighted the importance of using available opportunities to strengthen civilian supremacy and rejected the idea of boycotting the process.
While acknowledging that some clauses of the amendment required further debate, she said meaningful engagement, not withdrawal, was the way forward. “We have played our role even when we had only 17 seats in the past,” she added.
Dr. Nafisa stressed that the PPP had opposed provisions related to the federal structure and resource distribution, insisting the party would not compromise on provincial autonomy.
“The credit goes to the PPP for ensuring that these clauses are no longer part of the amendment,” she said. She also noted that the PPP supported Article 243 and had long advocated for a Federal Constitutional Court, with steps underway to make judicial transfers more transparent.
Sanaullah Masti Khel opposed the amendment, arguing that it undermined democracy, fundamental rights, and public expectations.
Arshad Abdullah Vohra said constitutional amendments were an essential part of the parliamentary democratic process.
He noted that the country’s rapidly growing population necessitated equitable resource allocation.
Arshad Vohra added that MQM-Pakistan supported the government’s constitutional initiatives, provided that powers were devolved to the grassroots level.
Dr. Farooq Sattar said that there is a pressing need to strengthen civil-military relations in Pakistan, emphasizing that when both civil and military leadership stand united on national issues, the world sees them collectively defending Pakistan’s interests.
Dr. Sattar said that May 10 marked a historic day when “we defeated a major enemy,” adding that Pakistan’s armed forces had demonstrated excellence across all domains of defense.
He welcomed the government’s announcement regarding a proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment addressing population, education and local government reforms, calling it “a positive and timely step” following the passage of the 27th Amendment.
He termed Pakistan’s defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, improved ties with Gulf countries and regional neighbors and growing international recognition as significant achievements.
Referring to local government elections, Dr. Sattar said that all political parties had participated in the past and stressed that the welfare of Pakistan’s 250 million citizens should remain the top priority.
Dr. Sattar also supported the idea of reforming Article 243, saying that restructuring the defense framework carries no harm if it strengthens the state.
He mentioned that even former U.S. President Donald Trump’s praise for Pakistan’s political and military leadership reflects a positive shift in perception.