The interim government’s advisory council has approved the draft of the Referendum Ordinance‑2025.
The decision was taken at a meeting on Tuesday chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
Earlier on 20 November, the Advisory Council had approved the Referendum Act. Subsequently, the government decided to hold a referendum on the same day of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election to seek public opinion on reform proposals recommended by the National Consensus Commission.
To organize the referendum, legislation must be enacted. Then, the government announced that final approval of the Referendum Ordinance would be given within a few working days.
On 13 November, the chief adviser announced that the referendum on the July National Charter 2025 will be held on the same day as the next election, scheduled for the first half of February.
The referendum question has been finalised in accordance with the July Charter, he said that day.
He said that the question to be placed on the ballot will be “Do you consent to the implementation of the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Order, 2025, and the following proposals for constitutional reform recorded in the July National Charter?”
What’s in the reform proposals?
The first proposal is about formation of institutions, the caretaker government, Election Commission, and other constitutional bodies will be constituted in accordance with the procedures outlined in the July National Charter.
The second proposal is on bicameral parliament – the next parliament will be bicameral, featuring an Upper House of 100 members allocated proportionally based on the votes received by each party in the national election. Any constitutional amendment will require the approval of a majority in the Upper House.
The third is reform obligations – political parties winning the next election will be required to implement 30 agreed reform proposals, including increasing women’s representation, electing the Deputy Speaker and parliamentary committee chairs from the opposition, limiting the Prime Minister’s tenure, expanding the President’s powers, strengthening judicial independence, and empowering local government.
The last proposal is on additional reforms outlined in the July National Charter will be implemented in line with the commitments made by political parties.
