No vote counting issue for 27th Amendment: Vawda

Senator Faisal Vawda has said the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment has enough parliamentary support for passage, dismissing concerns about the coalition’s numbers. He also said that the 18th Amendment would not be repealed, although he added that discussions on proposals for a 28th Amendment had already begun.

Vawda met Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence in Islamabad on Wednesday as consultations continued between political parties on the amendment bill.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “There is no question of numbers” for the passage of the 27th Amendment and that Rehman would review and understand the clauses. “Maulana Sahib is very important for the survival and security of Pakistan,” he said, calling the JUI-F chief “a strong politician” who plays an important role in the national mainstream.

Vawda said consultations on the amendment were taking place among political parties, adding that he had already started work on the next phase. “As the country moves forward, amendments will continue to come,” he said.

He stated that the amendment would include necessary measures for security and administrative efficiency of Pakistan. He mentioned changes related to transfers, postings and age-related provisions, but emphasized that the 18th Amendment would not be repealed. He said the government was providing 2 trillion rupees to the provinces and that consensual adjustments would not be detrimental.

Referring to Article 243, Vawda argued that it did not refer only to armed conflict on land. “It also includes the economic and cyber fronts,” he said. “If we need to strengthen the three services, we will do it; we will strengthen them so that the defense is safe.”

Read: 27th Amendment: What we know so far

He said the 27th Amendment was likely to pass without difficulty. “If there is any ambiguity, ‘fly on board’ is available,” he said. He added that Rehman would make his own decision and described the meeting as part of a routine political discussion.

Commenting on the party’s positions, Vawda said the Pakistan People’s Party was the guarantor of the system and would not allow a backslide. He suggested that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) should be considered confidential, but said it would be PTI’s decision to join the consultations.

He also highlighted political alliances, saying the 27th Amendment “has taken off” and described Asif Ali Zardari as “an important political player” with a strong political dynamic alongside Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He welcomed Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for “coming from the grassroots” and said the PTI should engage in “positive politics” if it wanted to be part of the amendment process.