KARACHI; Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Information Secretary Shazia Marri on Thursday made it clear that her party would not support any attempt to roll back the 18th Constitutional Amendment or alter the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award if the government seeks its backing for constitutional changes.
Talking to reporters outside Bilawal House in Karachi, Marri said the PPP has always stood for the empowerment of provinces and would never agree to any move that undermines their constitutional rights.
āWhen it comes to provinces, the PPPās stance is crystal clear ā we want to strengthen provincial autonomy and will never support any proposal that compromises it,ā she said.
However, Marri added that if any proposed amendments aim to strengthen Pakistanās governance system, enhance institutional performance, and bring greater public relief, the PPP would consider such reforms positively.
Addressing speculation about possible discussions on the 18th Amendment and NFC Award, she said: āThe PPPās position is firm ā there will be no compromise. Rolling back the 18th Amendment is not an option, and if the government seeks our support for such a move, we will not be part of it.ā
She also announced that the PPP Central Executive Committee (CEC) would convene shortly at Bilawal House to review the proposed 27th Amendment. āThis meeting was not initially planned, but recent developments made it necessary,ā she said.
Marri explained that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had recently confirmed in a social media post that the prime minister and a PML-N delegation met him to discuss the proposed 27th Amendment. āThey requested the PPPās support, but as per our procedure, the matter will be discussed within our legal and party forums,ā she added.
She further said that both the PPP chairman and the president had returned from Qatar and that the CEC meeting would begin upon their arrival at Bilawal House.
