PPP draws red lines on key 27th Amendment clauses

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has set firm boundaries regarding the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, rejecting elements it believes could weaken provincial rights, reduce judicial independence, or compromise essential democratic protections.

Sources and Context

According to party insiders, these objections mirror Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s earlier statements and reflect growing differences with the PML-N over how extensive the amendment should be.

Core Objections

The PPP refused to accept the removal of Article 160’s Clause 3A, which guarantees provinces their share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
The party opposed any proposal that might lower provincial allocations or curtail financial autonomy.
It rejected attempts to roll back Schedules 2 and 3 related to provincial powers.
The PPP declined to support shifting education and population planning back to federal control.
The party withheld consent for changes to Article 213 concerning the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner.
It objected to restoring executive magistrates’ powers, citing concerns over democratic oversight.

Chairman's Statement

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari stated that his party supports amending Article 243 and establishing a constitutional court, provided democratic and civilian safeguards remain intact.

Author’s Summary

The PPP’s firm stance on the 27th Amendment underscores its determination to preserve provincial autonomy, financial rights, and institutional balance within Pakistan’s democracy.

The News International — 2025-11-08