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Government Denies Voting-Age Hike as 28th Amendment Talk Resurfaces

Officials insist any constitutional move requires coalition consensus.

Overview

  • Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Monday rejected reports of a plan to raise Pakistan’s voting age from 18 to 25, calling the claims unfounded.
  • His denial followed weekend comments by Prime Minister’s adviser Rana Sanaullah, who said a voting-age increase was under consideration during wider talks on possible constitutional changes.
  • Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said on Saturday there is no draft of a 28th Amendment and noted that talks focus on resource sharing under the National Finance Commission, population policy, stronger local governments, and ideas for new provinces.
  • PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said his party has not been consulted and warned any amendment cannot pass without PPP support, a view underscored by the two‑thirds vote required in both the National Assembly and the Senate.
  • PTI and other lawmakers opposed the voting-age idea, arguing it would curb youth rights and reduce turnout among first-time voters, which could reshape who holds political power if the change were pursued.