ISLAMABAD: Amid reports about a possible new constitutional amendment that could roll back certain functions devolved to the provinces, a PPP senator on Tuesday said the party had not received any draft of the purported 28th Amendment.
Addressing a press conference to share details of President Asif Ali Zardari’s China visit, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla said it was “premature” to comment on the matter as they had yet to see a proposal for the amendment. His statement echoed similar remarks by the PPP chairman, who said his party was not aware of any such development, nor did the prime minister approach President Zardari in this regard.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar had also recently ruled out any amendment being tabled without consultation with the ruling partners.
Besides Mr Mandviwalla, the president’s spokesperson Murtaza Solangi and Presidency Press Secretary Daniyal Gillani were also present.
Speaking about the president’s visit to China, they said the president signed five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and one agreement, spanning the defence, agriculture, healthcare, industrial cooperation and technology sectors.
Describing the commissioning ceremony of the Pakistan Navy’s first Hangor-class submarine in Sanya, Mr Solangi said its strategic significance was comparable to the Pakistan-China JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft project. He also highlighted the president’s visit to Shaoshan, the hometown of Chairman Mao Zedong in Hunan.
Senator Mandviwalla, meanwhile, revealed a new cultural initiative aimed at promoting Pakistani films and television productions in China. He said the Legend of Maula Jatt’s commercial release in China was scheduled for May 21 and 22.
Discussing MoUs signed during the visit, he said an MoU on seawater desalination was signed to establish a five million gallons per day (mgd) desalination plant aimed at helping address Karachi’s water shortage.
Another MoU focused on agricultural technology cooperation was reached with one of China’s largest tea companies, he added.
