PTI senior leader Asad Qaiser dismissed speculation around the 27th Constitutional Amendment on Sunday, declaring that his party would seek legal counsel before responding to the proposed legislation. The amendment, aimed at reforming local governments and addressing gaps in prior laws, has stirred controversy since its discussion last year. Qaiser, a former National Assembly speaker, labeled the situation a “new drama” and announced plans to engage with lawyers, starting with the Islamabad Bar this month.
During a press conference in Islamabad, Qaiser launched a scathing critique of the current governance, calling it “illegal, unconstitutional, and undemocratic.” He claimed Pakistan was effectively under martial law, with decisions driven by personal whims rather than constitutional principles. The PTI leader vowed to use all available forums—parliament, courts, and public mobilization—to challenge what he described as systemic oppression.
Qaiser also raised concerns over judicial fairness, alleging that courts were yielding to institutional pressure rather than ruling on merit. He demanded transparent, media-covered trials for political prisoners, including PTI founder Imran Khan, asserting that the public would then see the “drama” unfolding. Additionally, he criticized the treatment of lawmakers, particularly the humiliation faced by parliamentarians near Adiala Jail, and pledged to raise the issue in the National Assembly.
The proposed 27th Amendment has been a point of contention since last October, with conflicting statements from government officials. While Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar denied any such legislation, ex-PM aide Barrister Aqeel Malik hinted at its possibility. Earlier this year, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association supported the amendment, calling for broader judicial reforms. PTI founder Imran Khan, however, dismissed the move as a façade, likening the current rule to an outright dictatorship.