ISLAMABAD: Federal ministers on Monday dismissed rumors that the government plans to raise the voting age to 25 as part of a proposed 28th constitutional amendment, following strong criticism from politicians and civil society.
Information Minister Atta Tarar rejected circulating claims that the government was considering increasing the minimum voting age, stating there was no need to respond to unverified reports. “Responding to rumors is unnecessary. There are hundreds of different rumors circulating, and it is unclear who is spreading them,” he told reporters. Tarar added that the rumored bill contained no such provisions regarding the minimum voting age as reported in the media.
Tarar’s remarks came after Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah suggested on Saturday that the government was planning to raise the voting age during discussions on the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment. His suggestion faced sharp criticism from political figures and civil society organizations.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, questioned on the matter during a private television program ‘Capital Talk’, said there was no such proposal in the pipeline. “I at least don’t know of any such discussion that has taken place,” he said. Asked whether any discussion on a proposed 28th amendment had occurred in the cabinet, he responded: “Absolutely not.”
Speaking on another private television program ‘Jirga’, Sanaullah had remained non-committal about the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment. “It is settled that whatever amendment comes will be the 28th Amendment, because the 27th has already been done. So now, we should expect the 28th Amendment,” he said. However, he did not confirm whether such an amendment was under consideration, adding that issues potentially linked to a 28th amendment were of fundamental importance and remained part of ongoing dialogue between political parties and their leadership.
Responding to a question, Sanaullah endorsed Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s stance that no constitutional amendment could be passed without the ally’s support. “Yes, absolutely. He is correct in saying that no amendment can be made without them, and he is also right to the extent that they have not been informed that we are going to bring any 28th Amendment,” he said. He added, however, that the PPP was itself aware of the issues at hand and also had proposals for resolving them. “Consensus-building has not yet begun. Until there is consensus, no move will be made towards any amendment,” he said.
