Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday categorically rejected reports of any 28th constitutional amendment, saying no legislation was possible without the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) consent.

Speaking to reporters after Eid prayers in Sehwan, the Sindh chief minister said neither any discussion had taken place within the party regarding the proposed amendment nor had any draft been presented.

“No one has spoken about dividing the province or the city, and nothing has been discussed regarding revisions to the National Finance Commission (NFC) award. I categorically state that no draft has been shared with the PPP,” he said.

CM Shah added that no constitutional amendment could be passed without the PPP’s consent, and that only the media was speculating on this matter.

On the upcoming provincial budget, he said the new fiscal plan would be “challenging” due to rising inflation, which he linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

He said the Sindh budget would be “people-friendly”, adding that any decision regarding salary increases would be taken in consultation with the federal government.

Read: No move on 28th constitutional amendment, says law minister

Rumours are circulating about the 28th Amendment; however, the government and the PPP have categorically denied them.

The debate further intensified when Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the government was planning to raise the voting age during discussions on the proposed amendment.

Rebuffing speculations about the PML-N-led government’s plans to introduce another constitutional amendment package, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said there were currently “no signs” of the 28th amendment. “Any move towards constitutional changes will only proceed after consultation with coalition partners and other stakeholders,” he said.

Later, Information Minister Atta Tarar dismissed circulating rumours that the government was considering raising the minimum age for voters to 25, saying there was no need to respond to unverified claims.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also said that his party had not been consulted on any proposed constitutional changes, signalling fresh strains within the ruling coalition over key legislative matters and the upcoming federal budget.

Also Read: PPP pours scorn on govt’s 28th tweak plan

Bilawal said that although he and President Asif Ali Zardari remained in contact with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government had yet to formally engage the PPP on any new legislative plans.

He also underscored the party’s central role in the coalition’s parliamentary strength, warning that constitutional amendments and passage of the budget would not be possible without PPP support.

“The government has not contacted the PPP regarding any new constitutional amendment,” Bilawal said, adding that the party had not been taken into confidence over the matter.