PM Shehbaz Sharif: Further Consultation to Be Held on MQM’s Proposed Local Bodies Amendment

**ISLAMABAD (Qudrat Daily):** Prime Minister **Shehbaz Sharif** has said that the government **supported MQM’s proposed amendment** regarding local bodies, but it could not be included in the **27th Constitutional Amendment**.

Addressing the **National Assembly**, the Prime Minister stated that he has decided to hold further consultations before determining the future course of action on the MQM proposal.

It is worth noting that following approval of the **27th Constitutional Amendment Bill** by both the National Assembly and the Senate, **President Asif Ali Zardari** has also signed the bill, making it a **formal part of the Constitution**.

Meanwhile, in a major development, **two senior Supreme Court judges** — **Justice Mansoor Ali Shah** and **Justice Athar Minallah** — have **resigned** from their positions, calling the amendment *“an assault on the Constitution.”*

In his resignation letter to the President, **Justice Mansoor Ali Shah** stated that the 27th Amendment has *“dealt a severe blow to the Supreme Court”* and *“undermined the independence of the judiciary.”* He added that the amendment has *“distanced justice from the common man”* and *“placed the judiciary under executive control.”* His letter also included verses from **poet Ahmad Faraz**, reflecting his disappointment.

**Justice Athar Minallah**, in his resignation letter, wrote that the **27th Amendment** has *“destroyed the Constitution he had sworn to uphold.”* He said the Constitution has now become *“a mere shadow,”* and that he *“cannot betray his oath through silence.”*