Govt to move 28th Amendment soon: Rana Sanaullah

PM's adviser says the proposed amendment would focus on local bodies, National Finance Commission and health matters

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that the government will soon introduce the 28th Constitutional Amendment and expressed confidence that the new amendment bill 'will secure' parliamentary approval.

Speaking to journalists in Chiniot, Sanaullah said the proposed amendment would focus on local bodies, the National Finance Commission (NFC) and health matters. He added that consultations on these subjects were ongoing. “If consensus is achieved, the government can move forward with formally presenting the 28th Amendment in the parliament,” he said.

Sanaullah also commented on the recent resignations of two Supreme Court judges and one Lahore High Court judge, saying the parliament had the constitutional right to pass the amendments, and judges were bound by their oath to uphold them. “It does not befit any judge to involve themselves in political protests,” he said. “Those who stepped down did so due to their personal motives.”

Last week, President Asif Ali Zardari signed the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill into law, following its approval by both houses of the parliament. With the president's assent, the Bill has now formally become part of the Constitution of Pakistan. Following the approval of the amendment, senior-most judges of the Supreme Court, Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah, tendered their resignations.

In his 13-page resignation letter, Supreme Court Justice Mansoor Ali Shah stated that the 27th Constitutional Amendment is a serious attack on the Constitution of Pakistan. He further remarked that the amendment has fragmented the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Justice Athar Minallah, in his resignation letter, stated, "It has been my greatest honour and privilege to serve the people of Pakistan as part of its judiciary, and I have, to the best of my ability, endeavoured to discharge my duties in accordance with my oath. Today, it is the very same oath that compels me to tender my formal resignation."