Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information & Public Relations, Shafi Jan, alongside Provincial Minister for Local Government, Meena Khan Afridi, strongly condemned the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment during a joint press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Monday.
Shafi Jan said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government are exploring all legal and constitutional options against the move. He asserted that in a democracy, parliament is a symbol of civilian supremacy; however, the federal government is “hammering the final nail into the coffin of democracy” through the proposed amendment.
He said PTI would play its full role within the constitutional framework to ensure civilian supremacy. Criticizing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), he said the party — which claims to be a champion of democracy — is leading this undemocratic initiative. He added that the 1973 Constitution was framed with national consensus, yet now amendments are being pushed in haste.
Shafi Jan further stated that the political landscape of the country would change after the release of PTI founder and Chairman Imran Khan. “We will form the federal government with a two-thirds majority and reverse all such amendments,” he declared. Referring to the registration of a case against the elected Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkkhwa, he said this province has the public mandate of Imran Khan’s leadership, and the Chief Minister continues to remain among the people without protocol.
Responding to a question, he announced that the province is preparing to hold the largest-ever Peace Jirga, inviting all political parties to contribute to efforts for restoring peace.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Minister for Local Government Meena Khan Afridi said the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment is a conspiracy to paralyze parliament and undermine civilian authority. She stated that the “fake federal government” has no mandate to introduce such critical constitutional changes.
Afridi argued that the PTI-led federal government was toppled through a calculated conspiracy, after which the “Form-47 government” destroyed foreign policy, internal security, and the economy through the 26th Constitutional Amendment. He added that the suggestion to grant lifelong immunity to the President through 27th amendment is in absolute contradiction to democratic norms, saying no democratic country in the world practices such an exemption.
The minister also criticized political parties that have remained in power for the last five decades, saying they have deprived citizens of their rights, snatched livelihoods, and plundered the nation.