Bilawal Warns Against Tampering with 18th Amendment, NFC Award

Islamabad — Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strongly warned that those attempting to tamper with the 18th Amendment or the NFC Award are “playing with fire,” adding that the PPP will never support any decision that weakens the federation.

Addressing PPP’s Foundation Day gathering via video link, Bilawal said he was speaking at the largest digital rally in the country’s history. He said the PPP’s economic philosophy is centered on empowering the underprivileged. He added that this is the party’s first foundation day after the recent Pakistan-India conflict, during which the Pakistan Air Force shot down seven Indian aircraft, making the nation proud.

Bilawal said the country is currently facing a political crisis that must be addressed to overcome national challenges. He highlighted that the PPP recently worked with the government to pass a constitutional amendment. “Whenever PPP brings a constitutional amendment, it brings revolutionary legislation. After the 1973 Constitution, the most powerful amendment is the 18th Amendment,” he said.

He revealed that the PML-N had approached the PPP to support new constitutional changes. “The government wanted to alter constitutional protections for the provinces and introduce an executive magistracy system,” Bilawal said, claiming that the PPP blocked any move that could weaken provincial autonomy. He added that creating the Constitutional Court and ensuring equal provincial representation was a historic achievement.

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Bilawal expressed hope that the new Constitutional Court would address major national issues and restore public trust in the judiciary. He warned that some groups were attempting to make the new court controversial but said he was confident that the court’s performance would prove them wrong.

Bilawal reiterated that lawmaking is the exclusive role of Parliament. “We will not allow any other institution to interfere in the domain of Parliament. Only Parliament has the authority to review its laws,” he said.

He urged PPP workers to ignore propaganda and assured them that the party would continue protecting citizens’ rights. “PPP will not support any move that weakens the federation. Those playing with the 18th Amendment and the NFC Award are playing with fire,” he warned.

Bilawal also condemned statements from the Indian leadership regarding Sindh, saying all provinces of Pakistan are like brothers. “We have the strength to confront Modi. We must stay united to fight terrorists and enemies of the country,” he added, emphasizing that national security requires unity and collective resolve.