PPP leaders oppose Karachi handover to Centre, tinkering with 18th Amendment

KARACHI: The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Thursday gathered constitutional experts, journalists, civil and human rights activists, who agreed after discussions that any move to place Karachi under federal control, reduce provincial shares under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award or amend the 18th Constitutional Amendment would undermine the spirit of the Constitution. Speaking at a seminar organised by the party’s Sindh chapter at the Arts Council, they argued that strengthening provinces is essential for a stable federation and cautioned that any effort to roll back hard-won constitutional protections for the provinces could trigger a broader debate on subsequent constitutional amendments and the future balance of power between the Centre and the provinces. In his keynote address, PPP leader and former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani warned that the proposal to detach Karachi from Sindh or place it under federal administration would require constitutional changes which would need a two-thirds parliamentary majority. Insist strengthening provinces essential for a stable federation; questions raised at seminar over party’s continued support for all constitutional amendments “Karachi was, is and will remain the capital of Sindh. Anyone seeking to separate Karachi from Sindh must first secure the constitutional numbers required for such a move,” he said. He argued that discussions about federal control of Karachi were effectively part of a broader debate over rolling back the 18th Amendment. “If the 18th Amendment is reversed, serious questions about the future of the federation will arise,” he said. He criticised the federal government for failing to convene regular meetings of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and for not announcing a new NFC Award despite constitutional requirements. “Under the Constitution, the provincial share in the NFC Award can increase, but it cannot be reduced. Any attempt to shift the financial burden to provinces without