Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor on Tuesday advocated for a constitutional amendment to prohibit further foreign loans, warning that the escalating debt burden threatens the national economy with a “total collapse.”
Elaborating on the fiscal crisis, he pointed out in a statement that servicing the nation’s expanding foreign debt consumes over half of the total budget, with interest payments alone surpassing the country’s entire defense expenditure.
Citing a public perception of parliament as a mere “rubber stamp,” Shakoor proposed that the government should conduct a referendum on the prospective 27th amendment to accurately gauge citizen sentiment on the matter.
He asserted that while constitutional revisions are needed, particularly to facilitate a megacity government framework, direct public participation through a referendum is the most suitable method for such significant changes.
The PDP leader also highlighted the growing public demand for the creation of new administrative units, insisting that this aspect must be properly addressed in any forthcoming constitutional overhaul.
Shakoor described the “elite rule” in Pakistan as a “curse for the common man,” claiming that legislators are not interested in resolving the issues of the masses and therefore called for the introduction of a proportionate electoral system.
He emphasized the need to refine and fortify the nation”s political system, stating that robust and active political parties are essential to safeguard public interests, and urged politicians to develop unity by improving working relationships with all stakeholders.