PPP Warns of Threats to Provincial Autonomy in 28th Amendment Negotiations

ISLAMABAD: PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bokhari asserted that provincial autonomy “must remain free from interference” in a recent statement.

He highlighted concerns about a proposed 28th constitutional amendment, noting that PPP insiders fear it could undermine financial autonomy and key devolved powers to provinces secured under the 2010 18th Amendment.

The 18th Amendment, a cornerstone of decentralization, allocated 57.5% of federal resources to provinces and transferred control of sectors like health, women’s development, and social welfare to provincial governments.

Calls for revisiting the 18th Amendment have persisted across political lines, with recent speculation about a potential rollback. However, no definitive details have emerged from the PML-N, PPP’s coalition partner.

Bokhari emphasized that no formal proposal for the 28th Amendment has been finalized or presented clearly at this stage.

The PPP has criticized the government’s freeze on provincial development allocations, which aims to raise Rs900 billion for federal needs. Bokhari noted that provinces had historically resolved financial disputes independently through the National Finance Commission mechanism.

He reiterated that PPP and PML-N politics remain distinct, despite coalition dynamics. Bokhari also commented on a statement by PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, stressing its alignment with ground realities.

Though Bokhari did not specify the statement, Bilawal recently criticized the PML-N for delaying local government polls in Punjab and Islamabad, alleging attempts to create fissures between the PPP and MQM-P.

During the budget session, Bokhari publicly challenged the PML-N to conduct local elections in Islamabad and Lahore within 90 days.

Advocating for public rights, Bokhari asserted that the PPP won Karachi’s local government elections with popular mandate. He pointed out that MQM-P’s absence and JI’s potential mayoral claim hinged on voter support, urging both parties to exercise patience and support the local government system.

“As a democratic party, the PPP believes in addressing public concerns transparently,” Bokhari concluded.

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