ISLAMABAD: Fresh anxiety is rippling through political and legal circles as the government advances a major constitutional amendment under a veil of secrecy, reviving concerns about transparency and democratic integrity. Analysts warn that altering the constitutional framework without open debate risks weakening institutions and undermining public trust at a time when governance already sits on shaky ground.
While early-stage confidentiality in policy formulation is not unusual, critics stress that the current moment demands openness. The amendment in question is expected to reshape the balance of power between the federation and provinces, recalibrate institutional checks, and influence the long-term trajectory of parliamentary authority. Yet the draft has not been shared publicly, even as senior government officials and the prime minister push aggressively for its passage.
Observers note that this secrecy mirrors the rushed approach seen during the 26th Amendment, when most lawmakers had little access to the actual text before voting. What was once an exception is now fast becoming a pattern — one that many fear could erode the legitimacy of constitutional evolution.
The heart of the concern lies in the constitutional requirement itself: any amendment needs a two-thirds parliamentary majority, a threshold designed to force consensus, not encourage closed-door manoeuvring. Without broader political dialogue, critics fear that significant changes may slip through without the scrutiny they deserve, leaving provinces sidelined and citizens uninformed about structural shifts that directly impact their rights.
Legal commentators also caution that amendments born in secrecy often struggle to gain long-term acceptance. They may provoke judicial challenges, political backlash and public scepticism, ultimately weakening the very institutions they claim to strengthen.
At a moment when Pakistan’s democratic framework needs openness more than ever, the government’s guarded approach has triggered more questions than answers. For many, the call is clear: transparency is not optional when the Constitution is on the table.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.