Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Rana Sanaullah mentioned that a proposal to increase the voting age is currently being considered as part of the upcoming 28th Constitutional Amendment.
He shared these comments during a television program discussing potential reforms in Pakistan’s constitutional framework.
Furthermore, Rana Sanaullah emphasised that any final modifications would need broad political consensus among all key stakeholders and parties.
He explained that the proposed amendment would not involve any changes concerning the armed forces, aiming to prevent controversy in sensitive institutional areas.
He also pointed out that some political figures advocate for a shift towards a presidential system, but the parliamentary democratic structure is still largely regarded as the most appropriate model for the country.
As a result, the government is focusing on stability and continuity within the democratic system.
The Minister stated that significant national issues such as the National Finance Commission award, population growth, water distribution, and administrative reforms are being assessed for potential constitutional inclusion.
Rana Sanaullah stresses on consensus among political parties
He mentioned that if political agreement is reached, these matters could be formally enacted through constitutional amendments in the future. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing among various parties to consider the legal and administrative implications of each proposal.
Rana Sanaullah also indicated that the proposal to raise the voting age is being thoroughly evaluated, connecting it to existing regulations that set the minimum age for running in elections at 25 years.
He added that voting includes considerable responsibility and may necessitate a re-evaluation of eligibility criteria based on national governance requirements.
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