Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, described the recent passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment. He mentioned about a historic achievement during his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday. The gathering highlighted the significance of this amendment for strengthening democracy and underscored coalition unity in advancing Pakistan’s democratic goals.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, accompanied by former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting also included Prime Minister’s advisor Rana Sanaullah and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. Bilawal emphasized the need for cooperation to further democracy and said the 26th Amendment would effectively curtail undemocratic forces.
Shehbaz Sharif Acknowledges Coalition Unity
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to all coalition parties for their roles in approving the amendment. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to public service, adding that positive economic trends are now contributing to a decline in inflation. Shehbaz described the amendment as a milestone, saying it shows Parliament’s commitment to democracy and to advancing the Charter of Democracy, a vision set forth by former leaders Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.
While the amendment has garnered strong support within the coalition, it has faced resistance from opposition parties. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) and others expressed reservations about the bill, raising concerns about its potential implications. Despite this, the amendment passed with a two-thirds majority in both the National Assembly and the Senate
Earlier this week, President Asif Ali Zardari officially ratified the 26th Constitutional Amendment, with the gazette notification issued soon after. This marks the amendment’s formal enactment as an Act of Parliament, embedding it within Pakistan’s constitutional framework. The amendment is now effective nationwide, marking a new phase in Pakistan’s legal landscape.
Prime Minister’s Statement on the Amendment
Addressing a joint session after the amendment’s passage, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended Parliament for its unity and called it a “great day” in Pakistan’s history. He emphasized that the amendment fulfills the vision of the Charter of Democracy, marking an end to the era of dismissing elected prime ministers. According to Shehbaz, the amendment sends a message of prioritizing the nation’s future over personal interests and demonstrates a strong national consensus.
Shehbaz also praised Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s sincere efforts in bringing the amendment to fruition, along with Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s contributions. He acknowledged Bilawal’s dedication to advancing Pakistan’s democratic interests, calling the amendment a symbol of parliamentary strength and unity.
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