Pakistan

Fazlur Rehman Urges Government to Reverse “Mistakes” in 27th Constitutional Amendment

Islamabad: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has advised the government to withdraw what he termed “mistakes” made in the 27th Constitutional Amendment and restore the Constitution to its original form.

Addressing the joint session of Parliament, Fazlur Rehman said that Parliament is a forum meant to resolve matters through consultation. He added that every effort should be made to ensure the Constitution does not become controversial — yet, according to him, this objective was not achieved in the 27th Amendment.

He asserted that the amendment would become “controversial” and should be considered “a wound on the title of the Constitution.” Recalling the 1973 Constitution, Fazlur Rehman noted that even when Zulfikar Ali Bhutto enjoyed a two-thirds majority, he still opted for negotiations and consensus.

The JUI-F chief highlighted that legislation was also undertaken through the 26th Amendment and that his party had presented recommendations regarding interest (riba). He said PTI legislators were in contact at the time, and consensus was achieved within a month on that amendment. In contrast, he argued, the 27th Amendment failed to meet democratic standards and was pushed through with what he described as “political immaturity.”

He added that certain privileges granted to specific individuals through the amendment have created class-based disparities. “We have no issue with personalities or their offices,” he clarified.

Fazlur Rehman also criticised new policies under which, according to him, district commissioners in Punjab have been pressuring the education ministry to register religious scholars. He strongly objected to legal changes that classify *shari* marriages under the age of 18 as sexual assault while still considering the children born from such marriages legitimate.

“You say you have to answer to Allah — but you have already taken actions for which you must answer,” he told the government. He urged authorities to retract those decisions and correct the Constitution.

Fazlur Rehman further remarked that the current trajectory of legislation and governance mirrors Western, particularly “Jewish and Christian,” preferences. “Today, we are following what the West wants,” he claimed.

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