Sindh will resist 28th Amendment if it restricts provincial autonomy: PPP leader

THATTA: Pakistan Peoples Party leader and former senator Sassui Palijo on Sunday warned that Sindh would resist any constitutional change that, in her words, weakens provincial autonomy or affects the province’s territorial integrity.

Speaking to the media in Thatta, Ms Palijo said the draft of the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment had not been shared with political figures. However, she said there was widespread speculation that the proposed measure could seek to alter provincial boundaries, particularly those of Sindh, and reduce the powers of the provinces.

She said such speculation had caused concern among the public and political circles. Referring to the possibility of any division of provinces, she said Sindh would strongly oppose such a step and warned of a protest movement if any such decision was made.

In her remarks, Ms Palijo described the 18th Constitutional Amendment as a major advance for provincial autonomy, saying it had been achieved through the efforts of the PPP leadership and other lawmakers in line with the principles set out in the 1940 Lahore Resolution.

Concerns over powers and resources

Ms Palijo said apprehensions were being voiced on social media and in political circles that the proposed amendment could also bring changes to the National Finance Commission Award formula, reverse the gains of the 18th Amendment, and shift subjects such as health, education and population welfare from the provinces back to the federation.

She said the 18th Amendment itself had yet to be fully implemented and criticised what she described as attempts to roll it back altogether. She said the PPP and the people of Sindh would not accept any amendment that undermined provincial rights.

The former senator also criticised what she called efforts to deprive Sindh of its resources and interference by the federation in the province’s autonomy. She said the people of Sindh had historically resisted such moves.

On the issue of Indus water distribution, Ms Palijo said Sindh was already not receiving its due share. She alleged that Punjab was taking Sindh’s share through illegal canals and recalled that large-scale protests had already been held in Sindh against the six canal projects.

She warned that if any attempt was made to give constitutional cover to such projects, it would provoke another round of resistance in the province.

NFC Award and other amendments

Ms Palijo said any reduction in the provincial share under the NFC Award would affect not only Sindh but other provinces as well, including Punjab. She argued that provincial autonomy had little meaning without financial and economic authority.

She also termed the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments controversial. According to Ms Palijo, the proposed 28th amendment would amount to anti-people legislation if it curtailed the legitimate rights of the provinces.

During her media talk, Ms Palijo said public anxiety had grown because of the uncertainty surrounding the proposed amendment and the issues being discussed around it.

"These speculations have been creating great anxiety and concerns among the masses," she said at one point and also warned of resistance if provincial boundaries were altered, saying: "If the move leads to a division of provinces, the people of Sindh will stand against it like a wall."

"While even the 18th Amendment has not been fully implemented, attempts are being made to altogether roll it back," she said on the question of provincial powers.