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KARACHI: Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said on Monday that any constitutional amendment would only be possible once political consensus is achieved, amid growing debate over proposed changes to the Constitution. Speaking to journalists in Karachi, Iqbal refrained from sharing details on the reported 27th Constitutional Amendment, saying it would be premature to comment before all parties agree on the proposed changes. His statement came after Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari confirmed that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had sought PPP’s support for the amendment during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and senior leaders. Bilawal revealed that PML-N’s proposals included the formation of a Constitutional Court, amendments to Article 243—pertaining to the president’s role as supreme commander of the armed forces—and provisions for executive magistrates, judicial transfers, and potential adjustments to the National Finance Commission Award. The discussion follows remarks by Federal Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain last month suggesting a review of the 18th Amendment to “align it with current governance needs.” Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan also recently called for constitutional guarantees for timely local elections and greater autonomy for local governments. Iqbal emphasised that major constitutional reforms require a unified political approach. “No amendment can or should move forward without consensus,” he said. Pakistan aims to become regional maritime hub Separately, while inaugurating the second Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference (PIMEC) in Karachi, Iqbal said the government was modernising all ports, including Karachi Port and Port Qasim, to transform Pakistan into a regional maritime trade hub. He said Pakistan offered vast investment opportunities across sectors such as energy, minerals, and information technology. “The prosperity of the world depends on effective utilisation of marine resources. Pakistan’s access to the sea is a powerful asset for economic growth,” he added. The minister said initiatives like PIMEC strengthen collaboration between local and international maritime stakeholders. The ongoing exhibition, running until November 6, features 178 exhibitors from around the world showcasing technologies and innovations in the maritime and shipping sectors.
