PML-N, PPP face off over 18th Amendment

Ruling party MPs once again target constitutional tweak

ISLAMABAD:

Lawmakers from the ruling PML-N and its key ally at the Centre, the PPP, clashed once again in the National Assembly on Wednesday over the 18th Constitutional Amendment.

During the session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Federal Food Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain echoed remarks made by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday, a stance also supported by Muttahida Qaumi Movement's Syed Hafeezuddin.

Rana Tanveer criticised the 18th Amendment while referring to the deadly fire at Karachi's Gul Plaza. "If everything is fine after the 18th Amendment, then is the situation at Gul Plaza also fine?" he asked. The minister added that discussions about the amendment often provoke immediate agitation.

Hafeezuddin said the 18th Amendment was not a sacred text beyond debate and suggested that new administrative units should be created in Sindh.

PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar responded, saying the amendment had been targeted amid the Karachi fire tragedy. "Questions were raised by the defence minister the other day, and now by another minister," he said. "This reflects the ruling party's policy stance, which cannot be ignored. We will never accept it. The Centre wants provinces to hand over their resources so it can borrow and repay loans. This is unacceptable under any circumstance," Qamar added.

Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar sought to distance the government from Khawaja Asif's criticism of the amendment, describing it as the minister's personal opinion. He emphasised that members often express individual views, which should not be turned into an issue.

PPP member Sahar Kamran criticised the ruling party, saying that it was not the 18th Amendment that served as an eyewash, but the presidential ordinance that was issued by the government without even the President's signature.

The National Assembly session was adjourned and will reconvene on Thursday.