NA, Senate sessions likely next week: 28th Amendment likely to be tabled in parliament

ISLAMABAD: The government is likely to summon separate sessions of the National Assembly and the Senate next week, where the long-anticipated 28th Constitutional Amendment is expected to be tabled in the Parliament for initial discussion.

President Asif Ali Zardari may convene the sessions of both houses on Monday under Article 54(1) of the Constitution, it is reliably learnt.

Last week, President Asif Ali Zardari gave his assent to the contentious 27th Constitutional Amendment, enacting it into law.

The proposed 28th Amendment is understood to address multiple long-standing issues, including the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, legislation for establishing local governments, a uniform national curriculum, environmental regulation, and other governance matters.

Analysts believed the amendment may introduce significant administrative restructuring aimed at strengthening local bodies and devolving powers and resources to the grassroots level. Some political observers say the debate may even extend to the sensitive question of creating new provinces, though the government has issued no formal confirmation.

Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah has already indicated that work on the amendment is progressing, noting that it will touch on education, population planning, and local government authority—potentially requiring changes to Article 140 and the NFC framework.

Behind-the-scenes consultations are currently underway, with key stakeholders holding quiet negotiations on the amendment’s final shape. Political observers point out that nearly eleven months separated the passage of the 26th and 27th Amendments — a delay the government appears keen to avoid this time as it seeks constitutional guarantees for local government autonomy and progress on overdue financial distribution reforms.

Meanwhile, tensions within the ruling coalition persist. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) remain cautious of one another as discussions move forward, while the PTI appears to have softened its previously combative posture.

The upcoming session of the National Assembly is also expected to convene without a formally notified Leader of the Opposition.

Sources say Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq is unlikely to permit Mahmood Khan Achakzai to occupy a seat near the Opposition Leader’s desk, highlighting the continuing uncertainty over opposition alignments inside the House.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025