Not even the mighty can undo 18th Amendment: Bilawal

Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the 18th constitutional amendment ensured the province’s 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,” Bilawal said while speaking during the NA session held on Wednesday to approve 27th Amendment.

He said the 18th Amendment had secured provincial autonomy and strengthened the federation, calling it one of his party’s biggest democratic achievements after assuming power in 2008. “Pakistan Peoples Party passed the 18th Amendment and empowered the provinces and strengthened the federation,” he added.

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

He stated: “We have the majority in favor of the 27th constitutional amendment, but unfortunately there is no consensus on it.” He added: “The draft amendment we received from the government was discussed at our party’s central executive committee meeting. We reviewed it for two days and decided that we will support this amendment to fulfill the unfinished promises of the Charter of Democracy.”

The chairman said the PPP believed that the true strength of any amendment or law came not 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 Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s era, all political parties came together to give the country a constitution – one which 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 set up a federal constitutional court, calling it a “historic achievement.”

He said the new court would give 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. “This judgment shook the very foundations of Pakistan’s federation, and we are still living with its consequences. Today we right the historic wrong.”

He added that both the PPP and PML-N governments had suffered under 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, this chapter of judicial abuse has been brought to an end,” he noted.

OPP supports changes to Article 243 in wartime conditions

PPP Chairman said Field Marshal and our armed forces are being praised all over the world. “Our armed forces have dealt the Modi government a chastening defeat; six of India’s planes were shot down and because of this defeat, Pakistan has gained a new international status and the nation feels empowered,” he said.

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

“Under these circumstances, the PPP has decided to support the proposed amendments to Article 243 relating to the armed forces and the party will support providing constitutional protection to the post of Field Marshal,” he said.

Bilawal said that empowerment of local governments is also part of their policy and 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 given more powers compared to other provinces.”

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

Appealing to the government and the political parties, the PPP chairman said, “The power lies with the house and the political parties. The benefit of the government will come from the recommendations and suggestions of all the political parties.”

Bilawal further said that it is not the job of the opposition to cry for a leader. “The role of the opposition is to hold the government accountable and make recommendations and suggestions by sitting in committees,” he added.

He called on the 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.