KARACHI: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik has denied that any legislation on military courts would be a part of the mooted 27th constitutional amendment, adding that the PTI’s claims in this regard were “completely incorrect” and “misleading the public”, Dawn.com reported.

Speaking on DawnNews programme Doosra Rukh, which aired on Friday, Barrister Malik said: “I would like to mention that there is no discussion of military courts [in this amendment].”

He claimed that PTI leader Salman Akram Raja’s allegations that the government was bringing in the amendment to create military courts were incorrect, adding that the party was “misleading the public”.

Talking about a possible timeline for the new amendment, Barrister Malik said: “In my understanding, this [amendment] will go into the new year, and it’s very early to say if it can be done this year as there are [just] two months left, but there are lot of international engagements, including COP […] foreign dignitary visits.”

Aqeel stresses consensus for new tweak

When asked if the amendment would be tabled in 2025, the adviser to the premier said it was “possible”, adding that they had “initiated a conversation” so that whoever now agrees to be a party to it would come with “consensus”.

“Civil society, our allies and even the opposition [are party to it]. We haven’t dissolved the [special parliamentary] committee, [and] it will continue working under the leadership of Khursheed Shah,” he said.

He explained that the government wanted to build a consensus regarding the amendment.

“We want to build an overall broad consensus and I’m on record saying that whenever the 27th constitutional amendment is brought, it will be brought in with consensus.”

The ruling coalition has been seemingly planning to table another amendment, colloquially known as the 27th amendment, aimed at reforming local governments and “addres­sing issues skipped in previous [26th] legislation”.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2024