Fazlur Rehman Criticizes Government for Forcing Two-Thirds Majority on 27th Amendment, Calls Move an ‘Insult to Parliament

**Islamabad (Qudrat Daily)** — Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief *Maulana Fazlur Rehman* has strongly criticized the government’s efforts to secure a *two-thirds majority* for the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, calling the move “an insult to democracy and Parliament.”

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Fazlur Rehman said that the government appears to be “stretching numbers” to pass the amendment, which could have damaging consequences. He warned that his party would *resist any attempt to curtail provincial powers* granted under the 18th Amendment.

The JUI-F leader said his parliamentary party met earlier in the day to discuss the issue. “So far, the government has not presented any draft of the 27th Amendment. During the 26th Amendment, the government had withdrawn 35 clauses. If any of those omitted provisions are reintroduced now, we will oppose it,” he asserted.

Fazlur Rehman emphasized that provincial rights must be protected, not reduced. “We will never allow anyone to steal the rights of the provinces. The 18th Amendment empowered provinces — any attempt to roll back those powers will be resisted. We believe in strengthening provincial autonomy, not weakening it,” he stated.

Recalling the passage of the 18th Amendment, he said it was achieved through *consensus among all parties* and passed after detailed review. “It wasn’t done in haste — it took a month of deliberation. Any new amendment must be scrutinized with the same care,” he added.

He also reiterated that his party does not recognize the current National Assembly as a truly representative body of the people. The JUI-F chief further criticized the government for its inaction on *madaris registration* and *elimination of interest-based systems*, saying no tangible progress has been made.

Earlier, the JUI-F parliamentary party meeting was held at Fazlur Rehman’s residence, attended by MNAs and senators of the party.

Meanwhile, *PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari* stated that his party rejects any proposal in the 27th Amendment that would reduce provincial shares but supports changes related to *Article 243*. The PPP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) discussed the proposed amendment in Karachi but deferred a final decision, with the next meeting scheduled for today.

Speaking to reporters after the first session, Bilawal reaffirmed: “We reject any clause in the 27th Amendment that cuts provincial rights, but we support the proposed revisions in Article 243.”