Fazlur Rehman Rejects 27th Constitutional Amendment, Calls Its Passage “Forced and Fake”
ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has strongly rejected the 27th Constitutional Amendment, calling its approval “forced, fake, and undemocratic,” and warning that it has not enhanced the credibility of those who pushed it through parliament.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting of the party’s Majlis-e-Shura, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said JUI-F has **completely rejected the 27th Amendment**, adding that the party’s lawmakers had opposed it on the floor of the house. The Shura has now endorsed their stance.
He stated that the 26th Amendment was passed through consultation—JUI-F even kept PTI informed during the process and compelled the government to consider PTI’s recommendations, resulting in a relatively consensual passage. However, he noted that no such consultation took place for the 27th Amendment.
### **“Two-thirds majority was forced and fake”**
Maulana Fazlur Rehman alleged that the two-thirds majority used to pass the amendment was **manufactured**, saying that sidelining the opposition—particularly JUI-F—was a violation of democratic norms. He claimed the move damaged public confidence, leading to a rapid decline in the government’s popularity.
### **Criticism of PPP and legal ambiguities**
He sharply criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), saying that despite having a two-thirds majority during its own government, PPP had consulted all political forces and taken smaller provinces into confidence. “Today PPP has acted against Bhutto’s principles,” he said, accusing the party of siding with the government in undermining democratic values.
He warned that the amendment has created legal complications to the point that even courts are unsure how to interpret certain provisions.
### **Objections to lifetime immunity and military privileges**
Fazlur Rehman strongly condemned the granting of **lifetime immunity and privileges** to certain officeholders, including military leadership, saying such measures were incompatible with democratic systems.
He urged the chiefs of all three armed forces to **voluntarily decline** benefits granted under the amendment, arguing: “This will create a class system in the country. No one is above the law—not even the Khulafa-e-Rashideen were exempt from accountability.”
### **Concerns over judicial structure and Shariat Court**
Fazlur Rehman raised questions over the structure and authority of the proposed Constitutional Court, saying ambiguity still exists over who would be considered the chief justice in such a setup. He warned that the role and future of the Federal Shariat Court could be jeopardized.
JUI-F demanded immediate activation of the Shariat Court and the Supreme Court’s Appellate Bench, further criticizing the delay in appointing two judges to the Shariat Court.
### **Criticism of laws on child marriage, transgender rights, and domestic violence**
He alleged that several laws passed in recent years—such as those related to child marriage, transgender rights, and domestic violence—contradict Islamic principles. He questioned the logic behind declaring a nikah under age 18 invalid yet considering children from such marriages legitimate.
He also accused political parties of passing laws under pressure from the United Nations, calling it “a form of modern slavery.”
### **Warning of nationwide protests and seminars**
Maulana Fazlur Rehman said JUI-F is coordinating with religious seminaries and scholars across sects. He announced that nationwide seminars and a protest movement would be launched soon.
Concluding his remarks, he criticized the PML-N leadership: “We did not expect this from Shehbaz Sharif. The germs of slavery still exist within the party.”
He emphasized that JUI-F firmly rejects the 27th Amendment and will continue its movement against what he described as anti-Islamic and anti-democratic legislation.
