Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday said his party would not accept any amendment to Article 243 that “might undermine democracy,” warning that any attempt to dilute provincial autonomy or alter the country’s constitutional structure would face strong resistance.

Speaking to the media after chairing a parliamentary party meeting in Islamabad, Fazlur Rehman said the 27th Constitutional Amendment draft had yet to be shared with lawmakers, and no decision could be made until the government presented it formally.

“Without reading the text, we cannot accept it. Any clause that reduces provincial powers or affects the democratic framework will be rejected,” he said.

He added that the JUI-F meeting, attended by party parliamentarians and senators, discussed the proposed amendment in detail but noted that “no official draft has surfaced so far.”

The JUI-F chief also criticised the government for failing to implement the 26th Amendment, calling it “an insult to parliament.”

He reminded that the government had previously withdrawn 35 clauses under pressure and warned that reintroducing any of them in the 27th Amendment would again violate the spirit of the constitution.

Fazlur Rehman further lamented the government’s inaction on key religious and constitutional commitments.

“The recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology have not been presented or debated, there has been no progress on eliminating the interest-based system, and the registration process for religious seminaries remains unresolved,” he said.

He emphasised that his party advocates empowering provinces rather than weakening them.

“The constitution speaks of strengthening provincial rights, not reducing them. Any move to curtail powers under the 18th Amendment or limit the NFC Award will be firmly opposed,” he asserted.

The JUI-F chief also accused the government of “manufacturing majorities,” saying such tactics harmed democracy.

He reiterated that his party had never recognised the current administration as representative of the people and vowed to continue defending constitutional and democratic norms.

Fazlur Rehman said JUI-F would coordinate with other opposition parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party, to build consensus against any constitutional changes that threaten the federal balance.

“Protecting the constitution and democracy is our collective responsibility,” he said.