Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman held an important meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari at Bilawal House on Saturday to discuss the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment and other key political matters.

According to sources, Maulana Fazlur Rehman arrived at Bilawal House with a party delegation that included Maulana Rashid Soomro, Mufti Abrar Ahmed, and other senior leaders.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was also present during the discussions.

Sources said the meeting reviewed the overall political situation in the country, with particular focus on the 27th Amendment bill currently under parliamentary review.

Earlier in the day, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also called on President Zardari at Bilawal House and briefed him on the government’s consultations regarding the controversial amendment.

The meeting came hours after the federal cabinet approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which was subsequently tabled in the Senate and referred to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice.

During the committee session, two JUI-F members, MNA Aaliya Kamran and Senator Kamran Murtaza, boycotted the proceedings, objecting that the new draft included clauses previously dropped from the 26th Amendment Bill.

A day earlier, Maulana Fazlur Rehman had warned that his party would oppose any amendment that undermines provincial autonomy guaranteed under the 18th Amendment.

He said the provinces had a constitutional right to an increased share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, not a reduction. He cautioned that any move to curtail provincial rights would face strong resistance from JUI-F.

Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Fazlur Rehman said his party had agreed on some “principled points” but would issue a final stance once the complete draft of the 27th Amendment is reviewed.

Commenting on proposed changes to Article 243, which governs the command of the armed forces, Fazlur Rehman said the implications must be assessed carefully.

“If these changes affect democracy, the Constitution or the political system, we will reject them,” he said.

“However, if they are purely administrative in nature, we will review them before making a decision.”

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key coalition partner, has drawn a clear red line against any alteration in provincial shares under the NFC Award.

On November 6, the party signalled conditional support for limited amendments related to Article 243, provided they remain confined to matters under the federal government’s administrative control.