Pakistan govt seeks coalition consensus on proposed 27th amendment

Pakistan’s government has intensified consultations with coalition partners to build consensus on the proposed 27th constitutional amendment, which officials say could be presented in Parliament this month.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate meetings today with delegations from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement–Pakistan, the Pakistan Muslim League–Quaid, and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party to discuss the draft amendment.

An MQM-P spokesperson said the prime minister assured the party that its proposed local government reforms would be incorporated into the amendment and supported by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz.

Shehbaz also briefed IPP leader Aleem Khan and his delegation on the amendment, while a PML-Q team led by federal minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain met the premier for similar talks.

Consultations on the amendment are also ongoing with the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP). The premier met with a BAP delegation, including Federal Minister Khalid Magsi and Senator Manzoor Kakar.

During the meeting, the prime minister briefed the delegation on the proposed amendment, and the BAP team urged an increase in Balochistan’s representation by adding more seats in both the provincial and national assemblies.

Government officials say the coalition aims to secure parliamentary approval for the measure before the end of the month.

Federal cabinet to review draft Friday

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz has called a meeting of the federal cabinet for 9 a.m. Friday (tomorrow) to review and approve the draft of the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, according to official sources.

Ministers will be briefed on key clauses ahead of the amendment’s expected presentation in Parliament later this month.

The decision comes after Shehbaz held detailed consultations earlier Thursday with a delegation of the Pakistan Peoples Party to finalize the draft’s provisions and discuss the PPP’s position.

PPP leaders Irfan Qadir and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf attended the talks. The government’s side included Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan.

After the meeting, the PPP delegation left for Karachi on a special flight to attend a Central Executive Committee session scheduled for 7 p.m., where the party will review the amendment before announcing a formal decision.

Joint parliamentary committee planned

The government also plans to form a joint parliamentary committee to review the proposed amendment ahead of a vote, according to official sources. The amendment is expected to be introduced in the Senate on Friday.

The Senate is likely to approve the committee’s formation, with members drawn from both houses of Parliament. The Senate chairman will request nominations from the National Assembly speaker to finalize its composition, the sources said.

The committee will be headed by senior parliamentarian Farooq H. Naek and given two days to scrutinize the draft. Meetings are expected to be held over the weekend.

Its report will be submitted to the Senate on Monday, clearing the way for an expected vote in the upper house by Monday or Tuesday. The bill would then move to the National Assembly the same day, with debate and passage anticipated by Wednesday or Thursday, the sources added.

The latest outreach follows a Nov. 4 announcement confirming that the 27th Constitutional Amendment is expected to be introduced in the Senate this week.

Senate Leader of the House Ishaq Dar told reporters the legislation would be taken up “strictly in line with constitutional and legal procedures,” starting in the upper house before moving to the National Assembly.

He said the Senate chairman would steer the process and ensure that each stage followed due rules and oversight.

Referencing earlier political reforms, Dar cited the repeal of Article 58(2)(b), the presidential power to dissolve the National Assembly, as an example of how constitutional changes should be transparent and consensus-based.

He also downplayed recent criticism by PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, saying political dialogue remained underway both inside and outside Parliament.

What's in the amendment

Officials say the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment contains far-reaching changes. It includes provisions to establish a Federal Constitutional Court, re-centralize key sectors such as education and population planning, alter the National Finance Commission Award and revise Article 243, which governs the chain of command of the armed forces.

Critics warn the reforms could reverse provincial autonomy granted under the landmark 18th Amendment in 2010, which devolved significant authority to the provinces.

Government insiders say that if the PPP reaches an agreement during a scheduled Nov. 6 meeting, a joint session of Parliament could be called by mid-November. They say the timeline would mirror the swift passage of the 26th Amendment in October 2024.

Opposition leadership crisis

The move comes amid a deepening leadership vacuum in both houses of Parliament, where opposition leader posts remain unfilled months after Pakistan’s general elections.

Legislative activity has slowed, adding to political gridlock.

In the National Assembly, the position has been vacant since Omar Ayub Khan’s removal in September 2024. PTI Chairman Imran Khan nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai for the role in August, but the speaker has yet to formally notify the appointment.

The Senate has faced a similar impasse. PTI’s Shibli Faraz, who became opposition leader in April 2024, was disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan in August 2025 under Article 63, leading to the termination of his membership. The PTI and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen have since nominated Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, but the Senate chairman has not approved the nomination.

Despite multiple submissions from the PTI-led opposition, neither house has confirmed new opposition leaders.

Govt says reform meant to avert legislative paralysis

Parliamentary observers say the government advanced the amendment to prevent legislative paralysis and ensure Parliament can function despite unresolved opposition leadership.

Analysts note the proposal could reshape Pakistan’s constitutional balance of power — strengthening the government’s ability to advance laws but intensifying tension with parties that view the move as a push toward centralization.

Dar said the government’s focus is to ensure “constitutional continuity and institutional stability.” He emphasized that coalition partners would remain briefed and debate would continue “in a spirit of consensus.”

If passed, the amendment could become one of the most consequential political actions since the 18th Amendment, influencing Pakistan’s federal framework and parliamentary dynamics for years to come.