Federal govt races to build consensus on 27th Constitutional Amendment

ISLAMABAD – The political activities intensified as the government moves to secure parliamentary approval for the 27th Constitutional Amendment, a local private TV reported on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tasked National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq with achieving consensus among all political parties on the proposed amendment.

The Speaker convened a meeting of parliamentary leaders at the Speaker’s Lounge at the Parliament House. The leaders from all major political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), along with chief whips of allied parties, have been invited to attend.

The meeting would include a detailed briefing on the key features of the amendment while the government’s strategy for securing approval woulud also be finalized. Sources said Speaker Ayaz Sadiq is expected to request support from all parties during the session and will also hold separate consultations with parliamentary leaders in his chamber.

If consensus fails to emerge, the government is reportedly prepared to rely on its numbers in the National Assembly. Sources added that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has instructed all its members, as well as those from allied parties, to reach Islamabad immediately.

The parliamentary sources said the ruling coalition currently commands the support of at least 224 members — the sufficient for the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment.