No vote count issue for 27th Amendment: Vawda

Amendment likely to pass without difficulty, says senator after meeting JUI-F chief

Senator Faisal Vawda has said that the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment has sufficient parliamentary support for approval, dismissing concerns over coalition numbers. He also said the 18th Amendment would not be repealed, while adding that discussions had already begun on proposals for a 28th Amendment.

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

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

اسلام آباد:سینیٹر فیصل واوڈا کی امیر جےیوآئی مولانا فضل الرحمان کی رہائشگاہ آمد
فیصل واوڈا کی مولانا فضل الرحمان سے ملاقات
ملکی سیاسی صورتحال پر تبادلہ خیال
ملاقات میں جےیوآئی کے مرکزی ترجمان اسلم غوری شریک pic.twitter.com/dwegJC5tH0

— Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Pakistan (@juipakofficial) November 5, 2025

Vawda said consultations on the amendment were ongoing across political parties, adding that he had already begun work on the next phase. “As the country progresses, amendments will continue to come,” he said.

He stated that measures required for Pakistan’s security and administrative efficiency would be included in the amendment. He mentioned changes related to transfers, postings, and age-related provisions, but stressed that the 18th Amendment was not being rolled back. He said the government was providing Rs2 trillion to the provinces and that consensual adjustments would not be harmful.

Referring to Article 243, Vawda argued that it did not relate only to armed conflict on land. “It also includes economic and cyber fronts,” he said. “If we need to empower all three services, we will do so — we will strengthen them so that defence is secure.”

Read: 27th Amendment — What we know so far

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

Commenting on party positions, Vawda said the Pakistan Peoples Party was the guarantor of the system and would not allow a rollback. He suggested that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) should be taken into confidence, but said it would be PTI’s choice whether to join consultations.

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