State Minister for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik has rejected claims that a proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment would roll back the landmark 18th Amendment, calling such assertions misleading and baseless.
Speaking during a televised discussion, Aqeel Malik clarified that no formal work is currently underway on any constitutional amendment. However, he acknowledged that discussions on broader national issues, including education, health, and fiscal matters, have taken place in the past.
The 18th Amendment, passed in 2010 during the government led by the Pakistan Peoples Party, is considered one of the most significant constitutional reforms in Pakistan’s history. It devolved substantial powers from the federal government to the provinces, particularly in sectors such as health, education, social welfare, and local governance.
Malik emphasized that any future amendment, if introduced, would be aimed at addressing national or public interest concerns rather than reversing previous reforms. He also noted that discussions around matters such as the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and local government structures have been part of ongoing policy debates.
Meanwhile, PPP leaders strongly opposed any suggestion of reversing the 18th Amendment. Party representative Agha Rafiullah warned that any such move could create political instability and would not be supported by his party.
From the opposition, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Ali Zafar also weighed in, suggesting that reversing the 18th Amendment could have serious political consequences and would be difficult to achieve consensus on.
The debate reflects the continued political sensitivity surrounding constitutional reforms in Pakistan, particularly regarding the balance of power between the federal government and the provinces.
As speculation continues, officials maintain that no formal proposal has been finalized, and any constitutional changes would require broad political agreement and public support.
