THIS is with reference to the report “Situationer: ‘28th’ legislative package by any other name” (May 18). Another constitutional amendment has become the talk of the town. Contradictory statements from government officials have added fuel to the fire. The media is abuzz with the proposed measures, including local government empowerment, an increase in the voting age, and new provinces. While some welcome these proposals, critics argue this is an attempt to dilute the 18th Amendment.

The controversy surrounding the 26th and 27th Amendments suggests the latest proposal risks the same fate. Some even argue that amending the Constitution too frequently could weaken it. India has, since its inception, normalised constitutional evolution through broad parliamentary consensus — accumulating 106 amend-ments in the process. Unlike the 18th Amendment, which was passed unani-mously, the current proposal lacks the very consensus that makes amendments legitimate — with experts warning it could even weaken the ruling coalition internally.

Local government empowerment is what every previous government should have delivered, but never did. Large provinces are not the disease; toothless local bodies are. The United Kingdom, a unitary state, governs millions effectively through empowered local institutions. Pakistan’s answer lies there, not in the costly and politically loaded adventure of creating new provinces. The government must tread cautiously and govern for the public, not merely for those in power.

Dr Saqib
Sialkot

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2026