PPP backs Article 243 amendment under 27th Constitutional reforms

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has announced its support for proposed changes to Article 243 — which defines the powers of the armed forces — under the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

Following a two-day meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said the PPP “agrees in principle” to the creation of constitutional courts and backs the amendment to Article 243. He added that discussions also covered pending agenda items from the Charter of Democracy.

Bilawal said the party would engage with the government to reach consensus on unresolved matters, including the transfer of judges. The PPP, he noted, suggests that the president should initiate the transfer process while the judicial commission plays an advisory role.

He acknowledged divisions within the party over dual nationality and said final decisions were still under consideration.

Party sources said the PPP’s support for other proposals, such as the constitutional courts, depends on equal provincial representation. However, it rejected ideas to alter the provincial share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award and to federalise education.