PPP Chief Opposes Reduction in Provincial Share
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has rejected any move to reduce the provinces’ share under the National Finance Commission Award.
He said Pakistan is facing serious internal and external challenges. However, he stressed that national security needs must be met through constitutional and consensual methods.
Bilawal made the remarks while addressing a PPP parliamentary party meeting before the federal budget presentation.
He said the budget was being presented at a critical time for the country. He pointed to regional tensions, border threats and rising security concerns.
Bilawal said Pakistan must take strategic decisions with care. He argued that the answer to national security pressure is not to weaken provincial rights.
He strongly criticised proposals linked to changing the 18th Constitutional Amendment or reducing the NFC Award share of provinces.
According to him, political parties have found a constitutional way to meet national security requirements without disturbing the existing provincial share.
Three-Year Formula Backed for Security Needs
Bilawal said the federation and provinces had reached an understanding on national security funding.
He said the arrangement would remain in place for three years and would be based on the existing NFC-7 formula.
He added that as long as the agreed requirements are being fulfilled, the NFC Award should not be touched.
The PPP chairman described the agreement as a victory for politics, parliament and federalism.
He said Sindh and Balochistan had reached a difficult but constitutional understanding with the federal government.
Bilawal thanked senior PPP leaders, including Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman, Murad Ali Shah and Jam Khan Shoro, for their role in negotiations.
He also acknowledged Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar for helping reach the agreement.
Bilawal said the development showed that national needs can be met through political dialogue instead of unilateral decisions.
Calls for Revenue Reforms and Political Solutions
Bilawal also criticised the Federal Board of Revenue, saying the country’s revenue generation system needs major reform.
He said provincial revenue authorities had performed better in comparison and should be strengthened.
According to him, improving tax collection through reform is a better option than reducing provincial financial rights.
The PPP chairman also raised concerns over the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
He said political problems must be solved through political dialogue. He warned that when political parties are denied space, non-political forces fill the vacuum.
Bilawal also referred to instability in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Afghanistan and Kashmir.
He said Pakistan is facing a rapidly changing geopolitical situation. He added that national institutions, political parties, the federation and provinces must sit together to find lasting solutions.
He concluded that Pakistan cannot move forward through old methods that weaken institutions or provincial autonomy.
Bilawal said constitutional politics, consultation, revenue reform and fair resource distribution are essential for national security and development.
