PPP draws red line on provincial autonomy

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has reiterated its strong support for provincial autonomy, saying the constitutional rights and powers of

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has reiterated its strong support for provincial autonomy, saying the constitutional rights and powers of provinces must remain protected from any interference or rollback.

The statement comes amid growing political discussion regarding a possible 28th Constitutional Amendment, which has triggered debate over the future of powers transferred to provinces under the landmark 18th Amendment.

PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari said that no official draft or written proposal regarding the proposed constitutional amendment had been presented so far and cautioned against speculation in the absence of concrete details.

He stressed that provincial autonomy remains a fundamental constitutional principle and should not be weakened under any circumstances.

The 18th Constitutional Amendment, introduced in 2010, is considered one of the most significant constitutional reforms in Pakistan’s history.

The amendment transferred authority over several major sectors from the federal government to provincial administrations, including health, education, social welfare, local government, culture and women’s development.

It also increased the provincial share in federal revenues through the National Finance Commission mechanism, giving provinces greater financial independence and administrative authority.

Over the years, various political and policy circles have called for revisiting certain provisions of the amendment, arguing that greater fiscal coordination between the federation and provinces is necessary to address national challenges.

However, supporters of the amendment maintain that provincial autonomy is essential for strengthening democracy, improving governance and ensuring balanced development across the country.

Nayyar Bukhari said provinces have repeatedly demonstrated cooperation with the federal government whenever national interests required collective action and financial support.

He noted that provincial governments had previously contributed resources to support the federation during difficult economic circumstances while preserving the spirit of intergovernmental cooperation.

The PPP leader also clarified that although his party supported the federal government’s budget process, political cooperation on national matters does not mean that differences in political ideology or policy positions have disappeared.

He stated that the PPP would continue to defend constitutional rights, democratic values and provincial interests wherever necessary.

Bukhari also highlighted the importance of local government institutions and called for the timely conduct of local body elections across the country.

According to him, effective local governments are essential for delivering public services and ensuring that decision-making powers reach the grassroots level.

He argued that local government institutions serve as the foundation of democracy and play a critical role in solving citizens’ problems more efficiently.

The PPP leader further urged political parties to support the smooth functioning of local governments and avoid turning administrative issues into political disputes.

He reaffirmed that the PPP remains committed to democratic principles, constitutional supremacy and the protection of public rights.

Political observers believe discussions regarding any future constitutional amendment are likely to continue in the coming months as political parties seek clarity on proposals related to provincial powers, fiscal arrangements and governance structures.