Provincial autonomy must be free from interference; no details yet on 28th amendment: PPP

Provincial autonomy in Pakistan must remain free from external interference, asserted PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bokhari. His statement directly addresses ongoing discussions and potential changes to the country's constitutional framework, particularly concerning the balance of power between the federal government and the provinces.

Bokhari's remarks come amid speculation about a proposed 28th constitutional amendment. Insiders within the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have expressed apprehension that this amendment could significantly curtail the financial autonomy and the devolved powers over key portfolios that provinces gained following the landmark 18th Amendment in 2010.

The 18th Amendment, enacted under a PPP-led government, represented a substantial shift in Pakistan's constitutional landscape. It devolved critical powers in areas such as health, women's development, social welfare, and local government to the provinces. Furthermore, it enshrined a formula allocating 57.5 percent of federal resources to the provinces, a provision now reportedly under review.

While Bokhari emphasized the need to protect provincial autonomy, the article notes that there is currently nothing concrete "in black and white" regarding the specifics of the 28th amendment. This lack of clarity fuels the existing concerns among political stakeholders about the potential implications for the federal structure.

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Provincial autonomy must remain free from interference.