Raza Rabbani believes proposed constitutional changes would be tantamount to bringing back the 18th Amendment.

PPP – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) – Raza Rabbani, a senior leader of the PPP party and former Senate chairman, has raised a strong alarm. He stated that new proposed changes to Pakistan’s Constitution would effectively reverse the 18th Amendment.

This warning came after the PPP, a partner in the ruling coalition, revealed that the government sought its support for a new constitutional amendment. Lawyers and other politicians have heavily criticized the plan, seeing it as an attack on provincial rights.

Rabbani clearly said the suggested changes, especially those about provincial autonomy, mean rolling back the 18th Amendment. The 18th Amendment was a major change passed in 2010. It calmed the provinces by transferring important powers from the central government to them, including control over education.

The experienced politician also issued a grave warning about the country’s stability. He cautioned that in the current fragile political climate, tampering with provincial rights could threaten the unity of the federation itself.

He explained that the 18th Amendment had successfully weakened the arguments of extreme nationalists. However, these new proposals will give energy to their activities outside the constitution.

On financial matters, Rabbani pointed out that taking back control of devolved ministries would be a heavy cost for the federal government. He argued that undoing the financial sharing agreement would work against the goal of a cooperative federation.

He even offered a bold alternative solution. If the federal government is struggling to manage its money, he proposed, then let the provinces collect all taxes and fund federal expenses through a common council.

A government minister from the Law and Justice ministry confirmed that talks about the amendment have happened and are still ongoing. However, he clarified that the government has not yet begun formally drafting the changes.

This is not a new position for the PPP. As recently as last December, its top leaders opposed any move to alter the 18th Amendment. This party stance often puts them at odds with their coalition partners, the PML-N.

Throughout the last several years, Rabbani has been a consistent and vocal defender of the 18th Amendment. In 2019, he accused the then-government of planning to roll back this key legislation for provincial autonomy. His emotional commitment was also visible in 2015 when he was seen in tears after a difficult parliamentary vote.