LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday firmly rejected the possibility of supporting further changes to the Constitution, saying the document “cannot be altered repeatedly” and that the two recent amendments passed by the current parliament were sufficient.
Speaking to senior journalists in Lahore, Bilawal said: “Two amendments are enough from one parliament. There is no room for more tweaks. The Constitution is not a document that can be changed again and again.”
His remarks follow growing speculation surrounding a possible 28th Constitutional Amendment — speculation strengthened by recent statements from Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah, who said the legislation would soon be tabled.
The PPP chief’s opposition refers specifically to the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments, passed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition in October and November, respectively.
Although the PML-N enjoys a simple majority in the National Assembly with 131 seats, its ability to pass any further constitutional amendment hinges on the PPP’s support. A two-thirds majority — 224 votes — is required to amend the Constitution. The ruling coalition includes members from MQM-P (22), PML-Q (5), IPP (4), PML-Zia (1), National Party (1), BAP (1), and four independents. The opposition holds 89 seats.
In the Senate, the ruling alliance holds 61 seats while the opposition has 35. The government needs 64 votes to secure a two-thirds majority in the upper house.
Sanaullah had earlier said that the proposed 28th Amendment would deal with education, population, and local governments, and that it could move forward once political consensus was achieved.
Addressing debates over new provinces, Bilawal said any future steps should begin with implementing the resolution already passed by the Punjab Assembly.
“The Senate commission had declared that South Punjab should be made a province. First reach a consensus to create South Punjab, and then move forward,” he said.
The PPP chairman added that while he could not consider “dividing Punjab,” provinces must first be created where consensus already exists.
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He further criticised Punjab’s approach to local government reforms, saying: “A law on the local government system was made in Punjab. If I had done this in Sindh, people would have opposed it.”
Bilawal also noted political discomfort among some quarters regarding the PPP’s growing presence in Punjab. “They cannot digest my presence in Punjab. I tell them to come to Sindh. I even say they should appoint their own governor in Sindh — something that still hasn’t happened,” he remarked, without naming anyone.
On the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Bilawal said he held no personal hostility toward former prime minister Imran Khan but disagreed with his style of politics.
He criticised PTI’s governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the province had been mismanaged under the party’s rule. “The province that is PTI’s responsibility — their government has failed there.”
Bilawal reiterated that the PPP would not take ministries in Punjab, adding that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz “is doing a good job.”
