Sanaullah confident new amendment will secure parliamentary approval

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that the federal government is preparing to introduce the 28th Constitutional Amendment soon. He expressed confidence that the new amendment would secure the required support in parliament once consultations are complete.

Speaking to reporters in Chiniot, Sanaullah said the proposed amendment focuses on three key areas: strengthening local bodies, addressing issues related to the National Finance Commission and reforms related to health governance. He stated that discussions with stakeholders are ongoing, and the government will table the amendment once a consensus is achieved.

Sanaullah also commented on the recent resignations of two Supreme Court judges and one Lahore High Court judge. He said that passing constitutional amendments is the prerogative of parliament, and judges who take an oath to uphold the Constitution must respect parliamentary authority. According to him, the judges who resigned had personal reasons for stepping down and should not align themselves with political protests.

His remarks come days after President Asif Ali Zardari signed the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill into law following its passage by both houses of parliament. The amendment immediately became part of the Constitution, prompting senior Supreme Court judges Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah to tender their resignations in protest.

In a 13-page resignation letter, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah argued that the 27th Amendment was a serious attack on the Constitution and had weakened the structure of the Supreme Court. Justice Athar Minallah wrote that his oath compelled him to resign, stating that he had served the people of Pakistan to the best of his ability and could not continue under the amended constitutional structure.

Growing Criticism of PML-N’s Political Strategy

The government’s handling of recent constitutional changes has triggered sharp criticism of the PML-N, with analysts and opposition voices accusing the party of using amendments as political tools rather than national reforms. Critics argue that the rapid push for consecutive constitutional changes reflects poor political judgment, unnecessary confrontation with the judiciary and a pattern of governance that prioritizes power consolidation over institutional stability. Many observers say the PML-N has failed to build trust, deepen democratic processes or show political maturity at a time when the country needs stability more than experimentation.