Not even the mighty can undo 18th Amendment: Bilawal

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the 18th Constitutional Amendment ensured provincial autonomy, and no one has dared to undo it. “The 18th Amendment was passed through consensus and no one has the courage to undo it,” said Bilawal while speaking during NA session held on Wednesday to approve 27th Amendment.

He said that the 18th Amendment had ensured provincial autonomy and strengthened the federation, calling it one of his party’s greatest democratic achievements after assuming power in 2008. “The Pakistan Peoples Party passed the 18th Amendment, granting provinces their due powers and strengthening the federation,” he added.

Bilawal emphasised that the amendment had cross-party support. “The 18th Amendment bears the signatures not only of the PPP and the PML-N, but of all political parties,” he noted, describing it as a historic act of unity in Pakistan’s democratic evolution.

He stated, "We have the majority for 27th Constitutional Amendment, but unfortunately, there is no consensus on it." He added, "The draft of the amendment we received from the government was discussed in our party's Central Executive Committee meeting. We reviewed it for two days and decided that we will support this amendment to fulfil the unfinished promises of the Charter of Democracy."

The chairperson said the PPP believed that the true strength of any amendment or law did not come from the size of the majority that passed it, but from consensus. “The power of legislation lies in agreement, not in numbers,” he said.

He added that during the era of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, all political parties came together to give the country a constitution — one that, he said, “No dictator has ever been able to break.”

Bilawal said the PPP had always played a key role in constitutional development and thanked the government for accepting the proposal to establish a Federal Constitutional Court, calling it a “historic achievement.”

He stated the new court would provide equal representation to all provinces, which would strengthen the federation. “The court that sentenced Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to death did not have equal provincial representation,” he said. “That verdict shook the very foundations of Pakistan’s federation, and we are still living with its consequences. Today, we are correcting that historic mistake.”

He added that both the PPP and the PML-N governments had suffered from former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s suo motu powers. “Suo motu notices were taken on everything — from the price of tomatoes to sugar,” he said. “Under this power, elected prime ministers were humiliated, and representatives were insulted. Even dams were launched under the chief justice’s personal initiatives.” “With this amendment, that chapter of judicial overreach has been brought to an end,” he remarked.

PPP supports changes to Article 243 amid wartime conditions

PPP chairperson said field marshal and our armed forces are being praised around the world. “Our armed forces have dealt Modi’s government a chastening defeat; six of India’s aircraft were shot down and, because of that defeat, Pakistan has gained a new international standing and the nation feels empowered,” he said.

He added that the PPP had decided the country was passing through wartime conditions and, in that context, “After the defeat, India hosted Afghanistan’s foreign minister, and what has since happened on our borders and in our cities is before the whole nation.”

“In these circumstances, the PPP has decided to support the proposed changes to Article 243 relating to the armed forces, and the party will back providing constitutional protection to the post of field marshal,” he said.

Bilawal said that empowering local governments is also part of their policy and that the proposed amendment will be reviewed in this regard. "All provinces currently have local government systems," he said. "In Sindh, the local government system has been granted more powers compared to other provinces."

He also mentioned there is consensus on South Punjab, and if progress can be made, he would be pleased. "We will resolve the deadlock on the Election Commission in a democratic manner," he added.

The PPP chairperson appealed to the government and political parties, saying, "The power lies with the house and political parties. The government's benefit will come from the recommendations and proposals of all political parties."

Bilawal further said that it is not the opposition's job to cry for a leader. "The opposition's role is to hold the government accountable and provide recommendations and proposals by sitting in committees," he added.

He urged opposition parties to protest but not abandon the political process. “As long as politicians do not take control of their own destiny, neither this House nor this country will function properly,” he concluded.