Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly rejected the 27th Constitutional Amendment on Monday, calling its approval “forced and fake” and saying it did not enhance the credibility of those who pushed it through.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Council, Fazlur Rehman said the session reviewed the 27th amendment along with several recent laws passed by Parliament. He said JUI-F rejected the amendment in its entirety, and the party’s parliamentary members had already opposed it in the National Assembly.
He said that unlike the 26th amendment — which was passed after consultations with the PTI and supported by multiple parties — the 27th amendment was pushed through without taking the opposition into confidence. “They ignored an entire political side. This two-thirds majority was artificial and imposed. It goes against Parliament and democracy,” he said.
The JUI-F chief added that public confidence in the government has sharply declined and claimed that the amendment has created legal complications even the courts are struggling to understand. He said his party has always supported the idea of a constitutional court but added that the current framework raises several unresolved questions, including its jurisdiction over decisions of the Federal Shariat Court.
Fazlur Rehman also criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), saying it acted against the democratic legacy of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto by supporting the amendment. He questioned how the party could back measures that grant lifelong immunity to certain officeholders. “In a military government, Asif Zardari spent eight years in jail under accusations. Now we are told such individuals cannot be tried again after holding office. Why?” he asked.
He expressed concern over lifetime privileges granted to military chiefs, arguing that such practices could lead to a class-based system. He urged the armed forces’ leadership to voluntarily renounce the benefits provided under the new amendment.
Discussing recently passed laws on underage marriage, transgender rights and domestic violence, Fazlur Rehman claimed that some of the legislation contradicts Islamic principles. He said declaring anyone under 18 as a minor for marriage contradicts Shariah and accused the government of passing laws “on the instructions of the United Nations.”
He also criticized the PML-N, saying he had expected better from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He added that the law on madrassa registration was not being implemented despite commitments made earlier.
Fazlur Rehman said JUI-F is initiating consultations with religious seminaries and scholars across the country and will organise nationwide seminars and protests. He praised the courage of “Hafiz Sahib,” but warned that granting special privileges to individuals in the name of national interest could harm the country.
He concluded that the 27th amendment brings no improvement to the Constitution and serves neither national stability nor public interest.
