Speculation Rises Over 26th Constitutional Amendment in September 2024

In September 2024, speculation arose about a potential 26th Constitutional Amendment from leaks. The government and official circles denied these reports.

A few weeks later, the plan was publicly acknowledged and swiftly passed by parliament. Now, similar murmurs suggest another constitutional amendment may be in the works despite official denials.

The debate centers on Pakistan’s fiscal imbalance between federation and provinces, particularly over the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.

Federal expenditures, especially on debt servicing and defense, have reignited questions about fiscal space and revenue distribution. Analysts note that this is more about fiscal constraints than any imminent constitutional move.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified there are “no indications” of a draft 28th amendment, while Prime Minister’s aide Rana Sanaullah acknowledged ongoing policy discussions on fiscal constraints and burden-sharing.

Opposition voices, including PTI, demand clarity from the government regarding proposed changes. PTI information secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram highlighted concerns about resource distribution balance and proper review of the NFC Award.

Any constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament. No single party holds this strength independently, necessitating coalition alignment for any change.

Analysts suggest that while full rollback of the 18th Amendment is unlikely, space for negotiated adjustments may exist. The process of creating new provinces remains complex and politically sensitive, making near-term materialization difficult.