The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) dismissed recent reports suggesting that the party is contemplating changes to the 18th Constitutional Amendment if it secures a majority in the National Assembly.
PML-N Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb and manifesto committee chairman Senator Irfan Siddiqui categorically rejected the claims, stating that no such recommendations have been received, and changes to the 18th Amendment were never discussed in any party meetings.
A news report had suggested that the PML-N’s manifesto committee received various suggestions, including the reversal of the 18th Amendment, altering the distribution of finances among provinces. However, both Aurangzeb and Siddiqui refuted these claims, emphasizing that the party has consistently focused on enhancing resources for all units within the federation.
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PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb, also the secretary of the party’s manifesto committee, issued a statement denying the news regarding proposed amendments to the 18th Amendment. She expressed disappointment that the opinion of the relevant party was not sought before reporting the unsubstantiated news.
— PMLN (@pmln_org) November 20, 2023
Aurangzeb emphasized that the PML-N has always pursued a policy to enhance the resources of all units within the federation and intends to further augment resources for all units, including the central government.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui echoed Aurangzeb’s remarks, stating that the party had neither received any proposals nor held deliberations to revisit the 18th Amendment or NFC Award. He emphasized that this matter had never been discussed in any party meeting, and the party leadership had not given any instructions to the manifesto committee in this regard.
Marriyum Aurangzeb highlighted the importance of fair resource distribution between the federation and its units as per the Constitution. She underscored the party’s commitment to building a robust Pakistan, with a firm belief that local government institutions serve as the bedrock of democracy.