Barrister Gohar Warns Against Undermining Provincial Autonomy in 27th Constitutional Amendment

Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has warned that tampering with provincial autonomy in the proposed **27th Constitutional Amendment** will create serious problems.

In an exclusive interview with **Express News**, Gohar said that provinces already have their own laws and the federal government should not interfere in their jurisdiction. He added that PTI would **oppose the 27th Amendment** if it undermines the constitutional balance between the federation and the provinces.

“The draft of the 27th Amendment has not been shared with us yet. Even during the 26th Amendment, the draft we received was never presented in Parliament,” he said, adding that he had also raised the issue with Maulana Fazlur Rehman at the time.

Criticizing the Punjab government, Gohar remarked that despite having a massive development budget worth billions, its performance has failed to satisfy citizens. “Take a camera outside and see — no one is happy with their governance,” he said.

He further stated that the current Parliament lacks the constitutional mandate to amend the Constitution. “We originally had 91 seats — three were taken first, then eight more, and even our reserved seats were seized. You cannot amend the Constitution without a legitimate two-thirds majority,” he asserted.

Barrister Gohar noted that **no revision has ever been made to the NFC Award**, and any such amendment would affect both the federation and the provinces.

Speaking about PTI founder **Imran Khan’s imprisonment**, he said: “It’s been more than two years. Within just five days, he was handed three sentences. Authorities thought people would forget him — but that didn’t happen.” He added that Khan was granted bail but immediately arrested again in the **cipher case**, and now faces the **Toshakhana** and **Iddat** cases. “If the courts deliver justice, he will be released — and that release will come through the law, not any deal,” he emphasized.

Gohar said he would meet **Shah Mahmood Qureshi** soon, noting that two of PTI’s petitions were still pending in the Lahore High Court. “We have requested the court to hear them, especially with local body elections approaching,” he added.

He praised Qureshi for enduring imprisonment for democracy and the party, saying, “We are running a movement — and it continues. However, there is currently **no protest call from Imran Khan for November**.”

Barrister Gohar concluded by saying that **Imran Khan is satisfied** with the ongoing efforts for his release and with the party’s direction. “We are not a guerilla force, nor are we relying on any foreign power to secure Khan’s freedom,” he said.