Larkana: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has warned that attempts to undermine the 18th Amendment or the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award are “playing with fire,” urging the Constitutional Court to provide immediate relief to the public.
Addressing a public rally in Larkana on the 58th foundation day of the PPP, Bilawal highlighted the importance of the 18th Amendment, saying, “If there is any power in any amendment after the 1973 Constitution, it is in the 18th Amendment.” His remarks come ahead of the NFC meeting scheduled for December 4.
Referring to the 27th Constitutional Amendment, Bilawal said the PPP, in collaboration with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), had passed a constitutional tweak related to Article 243 and the executive magistracy system. He added that the federal government had sought to remove protections secured for the provinces, but the PPP ensured these safeguards remained intact.
“We fulfilled the clause of the Charter of Democracy by forming a Constitutional Court and giving equal representation to the provinces,” he stated. Bilawal expressed hope that the Constitutional Court would address major national issues and counter attempts to make the institution controversial.
He emphasized that legislation is the domain of Parliament and pledged, “PPP will not support any decision that weakens the federation.”
Bilawal also spoke on the country’s political situation, noting, “There is a political crisis in the country at the moment, and it has to be addressed.”
The PPP chairman lauded the armed forces for their success during the recent conflict with India, highlighting that Pakistan downed seven Indian Air Force fighter jets, including three Rafales, and dozens of drones. “By shooting down seven Indian aircraft, our Air Force has made Pakistan’s name famous all over the world,” he said.
He accused India of using conspiratorial methods to destabilize Pakistan and stressed national unity, saying, “When it comes to the security of the country, we all have to fight together.”
Bilawal concluded by asserting that the PPP remains the sole political party in Pakistan that engages in “positive politics.”
