Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has expressed his party’s support for amending Article 243 of the Constitution and creating a constitutional court, while emphasizing that democratic and civilian safeguards must remain intact.
Speaking at a media briefing in Karachi, Bilawal outlined three key points agreed upon by the PPP Central Executive Committee: amending Article 243, establishing a constitutional court, and managing judges’ transfers through proper consultation.
He emphasized that transfers of judges should include consultation with both outgoing and incoming chief justices as part of the judicial commission, stating, “We support transfers, provided the relevant high court chief justices are consulted. Authority should not be unilateral.”
Reports suggest that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) may introduce a new designation, “Commander of Defence Forces” (CDF), in Article 243, which currently vests command of the armed forces in the President. The proposed amendment also includes removing protections for provincial shares under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and addressing dual citizenship of government officials.
Bilawal made it clear that the PPP would not support proposals affecting dual citizenship rules or reducing NFC allocations, stating, “NFC allocations can increase for provinces but cannot be reduced.” He also highlighted Sindh’s financial autonomy under the local government system and called for progressing other elements of the Charter of Democracy during the 27th amendment process.
On presidential powers, Bilawal reassured that civilian authority and democracy would remain protected. He also extended an invitation to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, referring to Bilawal House as his “second home.”
Meanwhile, Maulana Fazlur Rehman reiterated that his party would oppose any changes to Article 243 that undermine democracy or diminish provincial powers, stressing, “Provincial powers can be expanded, but reduction is unacceptable.”
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