The government has dismissed as baseless the social media claims that the interim administration will remain in power for six more months if the upcoming February 12 referendum results in a majority of ‘yes’ votes. In a statement posted Thursday night on the verified Facebook page of the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing Facts, it said misleading information is being spread online regarding the referendum.

The statement clarified that a photo card circulating on Facebook, allegedly from Independent Television, misrepresented comments by Professor Ali Riaz, vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission. According to the government, Riaz never said the current interim government would act as a constitutional assembly for 180 days. Instead, he stated that elected members of parliament would perform dual roles—forming the government and serving as members of a constitutional reform council.

Citing the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025, the statement explained that if the referendum passes, the next parliament will have a dual function for 180 working days to complete constitutional reforms. The government reiterated that the order contains no provision for extending the interim government’s tenure.