The government on Thursday dismissed as baseless claims circulating on social media that the tenure of the interim government would be extended by six months if the upcoming referendum results in a majority ‘Yes’ vote.

In a statement issued on Thursday night through the verified Facebook page of the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing Facts, the government said misleading information is being spread on Facebook ahead of the referendum scheduled for February 12.

Several posts have claimed that if the referendum outcome favours ‘Yes’, the Yunus-led interim government would hand over power after six months. A television photo card has also been widely circulated to support the claim, carrying the headline: “Elected MPs will act as Constituent Assembly for 180 days: Ali Riaz.”

Clarifying the issue, the statement said an examination of the relevant remarks shows that Prof Ali Riaz, Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission and a noted political scientist, never made such a claim.

Prof Riaz was quoted as saying that the idea that acting as a Constituent Assembly or Constitutional Reform Council would obstruct the transfer of power is “completely incorrect.”

He explained that from the very first day after being elected, the parliament would carry out its regular functions, including forming the government, running the state and preparing the national budget. However, he noted that fundamental constitutional reforms are necessary to steer the constitution away from authoritarianism. To that end, elected lawmakers would take a separate oath and complete the reform process within 180 days.

The statement stressed that Prof Riaz never said the current interim government would function as a Constituent Assembly for 180 days. Rather, he clearly stated that this responsibility would rest with the elected members of parliament.

It further cited the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025, which explicitly states that if the referendum results in a ‘Yes’ vote, the parliament will assume a dual role. This means elected representatives will simultaneously serve as members of parliament and members of the Constitutional Reform Council.

According to Article 7 of the order, if the referendum question receives a majority ‘Yes’ vote, a Constitutional Reform Council will be formed with the elected representatives of the next national parliament. The council will complete reform activities in line with the July National Charter and the referendum outcome within 180 working days from its first meeting, after which its functions will automatically conclude.

During this period, the statement said, lawmakers will perform dual responsibilities—governing the country through the formation of government and administration, while also exercising constitutional reform authority. However, there is no provision stating that the interim government will remain in power for 180 days.

Once the constitutional reform process ends, the dual role of parliament will cease and the elected representatives will continue solely as members of parliament, it added.

The government concluded by reiterating that existing legal orders contain no indication of extending the tenure of the interim government, but rather clearly outline the parliament’s temporary dual role following a ‘Yes’ verdict in the referendum.