Muhammad Asim Saddiqi 
Islamabad: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has said that consensus on the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment is expected in 2 to 3 days, after which the legislation is likely to be presented in Parliament next week.
According to a report, the government has also assured the National Assembly that the 18th Amendment will not be repealed through new legislation.
Talking to private channel, Khawaja Asif said that the government is considering amendments to the laws related to the defense forces and consultations in this regard are underway as the government is considering constitutional changes. He stressed that discussions are underway on amending Article 243 of the Constitution because ‘defense requirements have changed’.
Article 243 of the Constitution makes it clear that the federal government has ‘authority and command over the armed forces’ and ‘the supreme command of the armed forces shall be in the hands of the President of the State.
Earlier, while talking to the media outside Parliament, Khawaja Asif said that he could not share the details of the reservations or consultations regarding the 27th Amendment.
He said that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has every right to give his opinion and the government is also consulting other parties in the same spirit, so that their opinions can be included.
