Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb on Monday vehemently denied any considerations of potential alterations to the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
Contrary to earlier claims from undisclosed sources within the party, Aurangzeb clarified that the PML-N’s manifesto committee had not entertained proposals ranging from a complete reversal of the 18th Amendment to adjustments in the distribution of financial resources among provinces.
“As the secretary of the party’s manifesto committee, I deny this news; no such proposal is under consideration,” said Marriyum Aurangzeb in a news statement.
“The chairman or secretary of the manifesto committee could have been contacted before reporting the unsubstantiated news regarding amendments to the 18th Amendment. Unfortunately, the opinion of an opposition political party was taken, but the opinion of the relevant party, PML-N, was not sought,” the former information minister added.
Sources had initially indicated that the PML-N was exploring various options, including restructuring the National Finance Commission (NFC) to ensure a more efficient transfer of resources to local governments.
The 18th Amendment, enacted during the PPP-led government in 2010, decentralized powers to provinces in crucial areas such as health, women’s development, social welfare, and local governance.
The Amendment stipulated that provinces would receive 57.5% of federal resources, with the remaining allocated to debt servicing, development programs, defense, and other federal obligations.
Aurangzeb criticized the media for not seeking the party’s perspective before publishing the report, emphasizing that the PML-N has consistently advocated for policies aimed at enhancing resources for all units within the federation.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui, heading the PML-N’s manifesto committee, echoed Aurangzeb’s stance, stating that the party had neither received any proposals nor held discussions regarding changes to the 18th Amendment or the NFC Award.
He clarified, “According to my information, this matter has never been discussed in any party meeting, nor has the party leadership given any instructions to the manifesto committee in this regard.”
