ISLAMABAD(National Times)- PPP stalwart and former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani has cautioned that proposed constitutional changes under discussion could amount to reversing the landmark 18th Amendment. His remarks followed reports that the ruling PML-N had sought the PPP’s support for a 27th Constitutional Amendment – a move widely criticised by legal experts and opposition figures as an attempt to curtail provincial rights. Rabbani said the government’s proposals “amount to a rollback of the 18th Amendment”, which was passed in 2010 to devolve multiple ministries, including education and population, from the Centre to the provinces. He warned that “in the brittle internal political situation, playing with provincial autonomy will cast deep shadows over the federation”. The senior politician argued that the 18th Amendment had helped pacify nationalist voices by guaranteeing autonomy and participatory federalism. Altering it, he said, would “lend vigour to extra-constitutional activities” and could impose an unnecessary financial burden on the federal government. He suggested that if the Centre struggled with finances, “let the provinces collect all the taxes and look after federal expenditures through the Council of Common Interests”.

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Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik confirmed that discussions on the amendment were ongoing, though the government had yet to draft a formal proposal. The PPP, meanwhile, maintains its opposition to any revision of the 18th Amendment – a stance it has held since 2010. Rabbani also urged that all foreign agreements be ratified by parliament within three months of signing, adding that ministers often discuss sensitive matters, including troop deployments, without parliamentary consultation. He further demanded that the government brief lawmakers on Pakistan’s “new US policy”, following reports of possible mineral deals and port offers. The veteran legislator reiterated that citizens “have the right to know” the direction of foreign policy and cautioned that the United States “has never been a fully reliable partner for Pakistan.”