Political Debate Surrounds 28th Amendment and Voting Age

Pakistan Peoples Party stalwart and former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani has forcefully rejected the need for a proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment, declaring the 1973 Constitution cannot “bear the burden” of another change. His comments add a significant voice to the ongoing political discourse surrounding potential constitutional reforms.

Rabbani argued that the 26th and 27th Amendments had already “defaced” original constitutional provisions, particularly those concerning the judiciary, by removing the Supreme Court’s suo motu power and altering the judicial system. He asserted that transferring a judge without consent impinges on the independence of the judiciary, and urged the government to pursue remedial measures for previous amendments in consultation with stakeholders.

Warning that new provinces and provincial autonomy are “no-go areas,” the former Senate chairman called on the federal government to fulfill existing constitutional obligations. He specifically demanded the announcement of a new National Finance Commission (NFC) Award before the budget and the regular convening of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), which he said has not met in over a year.

The broader political landscape on the matter remains fluid. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari confirmed the government had not formally contacted him or President Asif Ali Zardari. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated he saw “no indications” of the amendment, though acknowledged the MQM’s demands for changes to local government systems. This follows earlier remarks from PM’s Advisor Rana Sanaullah, who said an amendment could be introduced if political consensus is achieved.

Discussions have also included a controversial proposal to raise the voting age from 18 to 25. The idea has been strongly opposed by PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Khan and Salman Akram Raja, who called it a move to disenfranchise the youth. They suggested the government is afraid of young voters, noting that 18 is the global standard for suffrage, though some officials have dismissed the proposal as a rumor.