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Constitution Can’t Bear More Weight: Raza Rabbani Rejects Proposed 28th Amendment, Demands Focus on NFC Award and CCI Meetings
Former Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani has strongly opposed the rumored 28th Constitutional Amendment, warning that the 1973 Constitution cannot withstand any further structural modifications. Pointing out that the 26th and 27th Amendments have already damaged judicial independence and altered the military's chain of command, the PPP veteran urged the government to focus on constitutional compliance rather than new legislation. He demanded the immediate announcement of a new National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and regular Council of Common Interests (CCI) meetings, warning that tampering with provincial autonomy would carry severe risks for the federation.
ND
by News Desk
2026-05-18
Constitution Can’t Bear More Weight: Raza Rabbani Rejects Proposed 28th Amendment, Demands Focus on NFC Award and CCI Meetings

Amid growing political whispers regarding a potential new legislative package, veteran Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and former Senate Chairman, Mian Raza Rabbani, has firmly opposed the introduction of a 28th Constitutional Amendment. Rabbani stated that there is no structural or constitutional necessity for further tweaks, cautioning that frequent modifications risk undermining parliamentary supremacy and the core spirit of the constitution. His remarks come as opposition and legal circles closely scrutinize the government's rumored constitutional strategies.

PPP stalwart and former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani on Monday said that there was “no need” for a 28th Constitutional Amendment, saying that the Constitution could not “bear the burden” if it were to happen.

In a statement, he said, “The ruling elite should realise that the Constitution, 1973, cannot bear the burden of another amendment. There is no need for the 28th Constitutional Amendment.”

He said that the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments had already “defaced” a number of the original provisions of the Constitution, particularly those relating to the judiciary.

The former took away the Supreme Court’s suo motu power, while the latter made significant changes to the judicial system and the military’s chain of command.

Rabbani said the “transfer of a judge without his or her consent impinged on the independence of the judiciary”.

“The federal government should be looking at the backlash of these two amendments and, in consultation with the stakeholders, taking remedial measures,” he said.

He further said that new provinces and provincial autonomy were “no-go areas”, warning that any attempt to “fiddle with the existing arrangements to their detriment” would have very serious consequences for the federation.

The former Senate chairman said the federal government should stop violating Article 160 of the Constitution and focus on announcing a new National Finance Commission (NFC) Award before the budget.

He noted that the last NFC Award was announced in 2010.

Rabbani said that instead of blaming provincial autonomy for a lack of coordination, the federal government should stop violating Article 154 of the Constitution and convene meetings of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) once every three months.

He added that it had been over a year since the CCI last met and stressed that the solution lay in adhering to and implementing the Constitution of 1973.

The development comes as rumours abound about another constitutional amendment. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari last week said that the government had not contacted him or his father, President Asif Ali Zardari, regarding a constitutional amendment.

“The PPP’s role in the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments is evident to everyone. We did not allow the rights of the provinces to be reduced; instead, we expanded them. Through our amendments, Balochistan’s representation in the Senate increased,” he added.

Subsequently, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said he saw “no indications” of the 28th Constitutional Amendment. He noted that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement had long been demanding constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening local government systems.

Last November, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said that a 28th Constitutional Amendment, dealing with “public issues”, could be introduced if there is political consensus. Make it in your own words

Headline

Constitution Can’t Bear More Weight: Raza Rabbani Rejects Proposed 28th Amendment, Demands Focus on NFC Award and CCI Meetings

Detailed Report

The Core Stance: Veteran statesman and former Senate Chairman, Mian Raza Rabbani, has firmly rejected rumors of an upcoming 28th Constitutional Amendment. In a scathing press statement, the PPP stalwart warned the ruling political elite that the 1973 Constitution is structurally exhausted and simply "cannot bear the burden" of any further legislative overhauls.

Undoing Judicial Independence: Rabbani argued that the previous 26th and 27th Amendments have already "defaced" vital pillars of the original constitutional framework, particularly regarding the judiciary and the military’s chain of command. He highlighted that stripping the Supreme Court of its suo motu powers and allowing the transfer of high court judges without their explicit consent has severely compromised judicial independence. Instead of plotting new legislation, Rabbani advised the federal government to look at the severe public and legal backlash from these past two amendments and work toward remedial measures.

Provinces are No-Go Areas: Addressing ongoing political chatter regarding administrative restructuring, Rabbani declared that provincial autonomy and the redrawing of provincial borders are absolute "no-go areas." He cautioned that any attempts by the center to fiddle with existing provincial rights or weaken devolved setups would trigger catastrophic consequences for the federation.

Financial and Constitutional Violations: Turning his focus to the upcoming budget, the former Senate Chairman lambasted the federal government for violating Article 160 by ignoring the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. He noted that a fresh financial distribution plan has been stalled since 2010. Furthermore, Rabbani slammed the center for breaching Article 154 by failing to convene a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) for over a year—despite a constitutional mandate requiring a session every three months. He emphasized that the solution to Pakistan's administrative friction lies in enforcing the 1973 Constitution, not rewriting it to blame provinces for central coordination failures.

The Political Context: The fiery statement surfaces amidst mounting speculation about a new constitutional package. While PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari recently clarified that the government has not formally engaged his party regarding a 28th amendment, other quarters remain active. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar downplayed the rumors, noting that the MQM-P is simply pushing for local government empowerment. However, the door remains open following previous statements from Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, who indicated that a 28th amendment targeting "public issues" could still be table if a political consensus emerges.
Tagged:

#RazaRabbani #28thAmendment #1973Constitution #NFCAward #CCIMeeting #PakistanPolitics #JudicialIndependence #ProvincialAutonomy #PPP
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