A crucial meeting of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) concluded in Karachi with a conditional acceptance of one proposal, but the proceedings were adjourned until after Friday prayers for a final decision on constitutional reforms. The PPP conditionally approved the government’s proposed amendments to Article 243 within the 27th Constitutional Amendment draft but outright rejected all other controversial points.
Addressing the media after the CEC session, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated clearly that a delegation from the PML-N had requested his party’s support for the 27th Constitutional Amendment, but the PPP is “not prepared to support” any proposals that compromise the federal structure of the country.
Bhutto confirmed that the CEC has only agreed to support the proposed changes to Article 243. He emphasized that “all other points have been fully rejected.”
The most significant objection raised by the PPP concerns the clause related to the provincial financial share, known as the National Finance Commission (NFC) formula. Bilawal Bhutto unequivocally stated that the party has completely rejected the proposal to alter the NFC formula.
Furthermore, the PPP has placed a major condition on the establishment of the proposed Constitutional Court, asserting that there must be “equal representation” for all four provinces. Bhutto clarified that the CEC meeting will resume after Friday prayers to make a final decision regarding the structure of the Constitutional Court. This stance poses a significant challenge to the ruling coalition, which is seeking to pass the constitutional amendment with consensus.
