Karachi: The International Lawyers Forum (ILF) has called for a nationwide referendum on the
proposed 26th Constitutional Amendment, citing concerns over the credibility of current
parliamentarians and a lack of national cohesion among political parties.
In a press briefing, ILF Chairman Nasir Ahmed Advocate emphasized that a significant portion of the
public lacks confidence in the existing political leadership. He highlighted that several election-
related disputes remain unresolved in the courts, further complicating the political landscape.
“In light of the current parliamentary and political crisis, the best course of action would be to let the
public voice their opinion directly through a referendum,” said Nasir Ahmed. He noted that given the
lack of national harmony and the critical nature of this constitutional amendment, relying solely on
parliamentary processes may not reflect the will of the people.
The 26th Constitutional Amendment, if passed, is expected to have a major impact on Pakistan’s
governance structure, and the ILF believes that a nationwide referendum would foster greater
transparency and trust in the democratic process.
The ILF's demand comes amid growing tensions and political deadlock, with various factions within
the government and opposition failing to reach a consensus. The ILF hopes that a referendum would
provide a more democratic and inclusive solution to the ongoing crisis.
