Govt refutes interim admins extension
Staff Reporter :
The government has dismissed claims circulating on social media suggesting that a victory for the “Yes” vote in the upcoming referendum would allow the interim
government to remain in power for an additional six months.
In a statement recently posted on the verified Facebook page of CA Press Wing Facts, the government said misinformation is being spread on Facebook regarding the referendum scheduled for February 12.
Several posts falsely claim that if the referendum result is “Yes,” the Yunus-led interim government would hand over power only after six months.
The statement noted that these claims are being circulated alongside a photo card from Independent Television.
The photo card, originally shared on the television channel’s Facebook page, carries the headline: “After the election, members of parliament will act as a Constituent Assembly for 180 days: Ali Riaz.”
Clarifying the issue, the government said a review of related statements shows that Professor Ali Riaz, Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission and a noted political scientist, never claimed that the interim government would continue for 180 days.
Instead, Prof Riaz stated: “The idea that acting as a constitutional reform council would create obstacles to the transfer of power is completely incorrect.”
He further explained that from the very first day after the election, parliament would perform its regular duties, including forming a government, running the state, and preparing the national budget.
At the same time, he said fundamental constitutional reforms are necessary to prevent authoritarianism, and for this purpose, elected representatives would take a separate oath to complete the reform process within 180 days.
In essence, Prof Riaz was referring to the role of elected members of parliament, not the interim government, the statement said.
The government also cited the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025, which clearly states that if the “Yes” vote prevails in the referendum, the elected parliament will assume a dual role.
Under this arrangement, elected representatives will function both as members of the National Parliament and as members of the Constitutional Reform Council.
Article 7 of the Order outlines the formation, functions, and dissolution of the Constitutional Reform Council.
It states that following a “Yes” vote, the Council will be formed immediately after the issuance of the Order, comprising members elected in the next general election.
These representatives will simultaneously serve in parliament and the Council, which will be responsible for completing constitutional reforms within 180 working days from its first session.
During this period, elected representatives will both govern the country and carry out constitutional reform responsibilities.
Once the reform process is completed within the stipulated timeframe, the Constitutional Reform Council will be dissolved, and parliament will revert to its standard role.
The statement emphasized that nowhere in the Order is there any provision for the interim government to remain in power for 180 days. Rather, the legal framework clearly establishes a temporary dual role for the elected parliament, not an extension of the interim administration.