No one can revoke provincial rights guaranteed under 18th Amendment: Bilawal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that no one could revoke the provincial rights guaranteed under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.

Bilawal also strongly condemned the recent terror attacks and urged the government and opposition benches to sit together to curb terrorism in the country.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday, Bilawal said, “even if someone’s father wished to abolish the amendment, it could not be undone.” He said the 1973 Constitution and the 18th Amendment were both passed through consensus, and the same spirit was upheld during the passage of the 26th Amendment after tireless efforts.

Bilawal said, “The 18th Amendment cannot be undone, because it was built on the strength of a broad political consensus,” he said. “It carries the signatures of not only the PPP and the PML-N, but also of all political parties. It is unfortunate to note that the amendment we are introducing today does not carry the same level of consensus.”

Bilawal Bhutto strongly condemned the recent terror attacks in the country. He said “whether one sits on the treasury benches or the opposition benches, the entire house and the nation must set aside political differences and unite against the malicious designs of terrorists. The military, politicians, civil society, and the people of Pakistan have defeated these terrorists before and accomplished what the entire world, including NATO forces, could not achieve in Afghanistan.”

“Pakistan will once again emerge victorious in the battle against terrorism,” Bilawal affirmed.

The federation, he said, would be further strengthened by treating all provinces equally. All political forces opposing the 27th Amendment must acknowledge that this is a historic milestone, as for the first time, every province will have equal representation in the constitutional courts.

Chairman Bilawal said “this is precisely why the PPP is unwilling to reverse devolution or compromise the protections guaranteed under the NFC Award. He said that in its initial draft, the government had proposed removing the protection granted to provincial governments under the NFC Award. He said the PPP firmly rejected this proposal, he stated, adding, “As long as I am the leader of this party, I will never support taking back the constitutional protections given to the provinces.”

He further stated that the PPP has proposed a balanced mechanism for the transfer of judges, allowing the Judicial Commission to seek the input of the concerned judge, a recommendation to which the government has agreed.

Chairman PPP further said that the 27th Amendment is an effort to fulfil the promises enshrined in the Charter of Democracy, including the establishment of a Constitutional Court. He added that following Pakistan’s historic victory over India, the amendment also seeks to grant constitutional protection to the rank of Field Marshal through Article 243. “Certain changes are being introduced in the Constitution relating to defence institutions,” he said.

Chairman Bilawal further stated that the Field Marshal and the armed forces of Pakistan are being commended globally for inflicting a historic defeat on Modi’s regime by downing six Indian jets. “We are also witnessing the aftermath of India hosting the foreign minister of Afghanistan on our other border,” he noted. “In this context, the PPP has decided to support the government’s recommendations regarding Article 243.” He said it would have been far better had the political parties in the Opposition followed suit, instead of raising a hue and cry for their imprisoned leader. He emphasized that he had fulfilled his responsibility, but the onus was also on the Opposition to participate in the committees and provide their input, which they failed to do.

“We continue to suffer from the consequences of that injustice,” he said. “Those who speak of provincial equality, be it Achakzai or others, must recognize and appreciate this remarkable achievement that ensures true equality among the provinces.”

He further remarked that after the tenure of former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, all political parties, including the PPP and PML-N, suffered from the unchecked use of suomotu powers. “We witnessed courts setting the prices of tomatoes and potatoes, making dams, and even disrespecting prime ministers, ministers, and elected representatives,” he said. “There will be no suo motu powers after this Amendment, and the Sword of Damocles that the courts have long held over prime ministers and governments will finally cease to exist,” he said.

He emphasized the need to move towards Truth and Reconciliation, and to adopt a path that reaffirms that this country belongs equally to Shehbaz Sharif, Achakzai, and Imran Khan, as much as it does to every other citizen.

He said that while everyone wishes for the country to overcome its financial crisis, such proposals imply willingness to compromise on provincial rights simply because the FBR has failed to meet its targets.

Chairman Bilawal said he is ready to engage with the government and demonstrate that since certain taxes were devolved to the provinces, their revenue collections have consistently outperformed those of the federation. He reaffirmed that the PPP will never support taking anything away from the provinces. “Our party will advocate for what the federation can and should provide to strengthen the federating units.” He said the provinces of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan should not be penalized for the shortcomings of the FBR or other federal financial institutions. Instead, he emphasized, all provinces should be empowered and entrusted with the responsibility to perform better than these institutions.

He further said the government had proposed reversing the devolution of the Education and Population departments, powers that were transferred under the 18th Amendment, which helped bury the politics of separatism. He said that at a time when conspiracies are being hatched against Pakistan from across its borders, the government must avoid actions that would revive separatist elements or aid our adversaries.

He said the PPP would be pleased to further build upon the existing consensus regarding South Punjab.

Chairman PPP assured the PM that the PPP would seek a democratic solution to break the deadlock over appointments in the ECP.

Bilawal further emphasized that political parties are the true strength of both the government and the Parliament, and therefore, no legislation should come as a surprise. Instead, he stressed, all proposed laws must be thoroughly deliberated upon through dialogue and consensus.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025