PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Local Government Meena Khan Afridi and Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information Shafiullah Jan on Monday criticised the draft 27th Constitutional Amendment, describing the federal government’s initiative as an attack on the Constitution and an attempt to grant lifelong powers and immunity to an individual.

Addressing a joint news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Monday, Mr Afridi said that the PTI government led by prime minister Imran Khan was toppled under a conspiracy and that the Constitution and laws of the country were being trampled upon by authorities to serve political ends.

He said that authorities were playing with the Constitution through the 27th Constitutional Amendment the same way as they did with the 26th Amendment, and that even federal ministers were unaware of the details of the amendment.

Minister Afridi alleged that efforts were being made to retain one person in a top position for life.

Say PTI will fight constitutional battle against Centre’s move

“Whether that person commits theft, robbery or any other wrongdoing, they will remain untouchable and even be protected,” he said, questioning how such immunity could be justified under Islamic principles.

The minister claimed that first, the people’s mandate given to PTI was stolen, and currently, attempts were being made to change the Constitution with the help of just 17 parliament seats.

He accused the federal government of conspiring to keep the PTI founder imprisoned.

Special Assistant to the CM Shafiullah Jan denounced the 27th Constitutional Amendment, saying that the last few amendments turned the Constitution into a joke.

He alleged that lawmakers were abducted overnight to ensure the passage of previous constitutional amendments.

He questioned how those “illegal” rulers could alter the Constitution.

Mr Jan said that the PTI would fight a constitutional and legal battle against what he described as tampering with the country’s foundational document.

He said that the amendment had nothing to do with civilian supremacy but was instead a move to empower one department and one person for life.

The aide to the CM criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party for what he insisted selling former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s legacy by endorsing the constitutional amendment.

“PPP current chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has sold the very Constitution his grandfather gave to the nation through consensus in 1973,” he said.

Mr Jan alleged that the amendment’s real purpose was to keep Imran behind bars and that even the federal government’s ally, Aimal Wali Khan of the ANP, was “betrayed” in the process.

He also announced that a peace jirga would be held at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Nov 12, with representatives of all major political parties being in attendance.

The special assistant said that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi personally contacted political leaders and invited them to participate in the moot, hoping that the jirga would yield positive results for the restoration of law and order in the province.

He praised the chief minister for mingling with the people without protocol or security checks and said the move reflected his popularity and connection with the people.

Mr Jan said that while courts issued verdicts, the real question was who would ensure their implementation.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2025