Islamabad — Political tensions are escalating in Pakistan over proposed constitutional changes, with opposition leaders expressing profound reservations about the draft 27th Amendment. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad under the banner of the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aain (Movement for the Protection of the Constitution), senior opposition figure Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar alleged that the amendment was drafted purely to serve the gains and losses of specific political figures, rather than the spirit of the Constitution.
Khokhar stressed that the Constitution should not be tied to individuals, yet he claimed the country’s elite is engaged in the “distribution of exemption” and manipulating the legal framework for self-serving interests. He cited the 26th Constitutional Amendment as an example, stating that the non-transparent manner in which it was passed was evident to all, claiming that 90% of parliamentarians were unaware of the amendment’s contents.
Addressing the current dynamics, Khokhar asserted that the Supreme Court played a vital role in paving the way for the 27th Amendment. He argued that the seats vacated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were given to the ruling coalition, providing the government with the required numbers. He claims these seats are now being leveraged to push through the 27th Amendment.
Khokhar lamented the deviation from the foundational principles of the Constitution, emphasizing that the “social contract” is a relationship between an individual and the state, while the 1973 Constitution mandates that all institutions operate within their defined limits. He conveyed his sadness after reading the draft, questioning the direction in which the country’s leadership is heading.
Sharing the stage, Mehmood Khan Achakzai escalated the criticism, calling the situation an “attack on the Constitution” and “an assault on the foundations of Pakistan.” He vehemently criticized the current governance, labeling it as a “group occupying the country without an election.” Achakzai announced that a movement to defend the Constitution would commence tonight at 8:30 PM, with the core slogan being: “We do not accept such a constitution!”
