Senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani has voiced strong concerns over ongoing discussions about proposed constitutional changes, warning that such moves could undermine the landmark 18th Amendment and weaken provincial autonomy.
In a statement issued on Friday, Rabbani said that any attempt to alter the 18th Amendment would be a direct challenge to the spirit of the 1973 Constitution. He cautioned that these efforts could undo years of democratic progress and destabilize the delicate balance of power between the federation and the provinces.
The 18th Amendment, passed in 2010, remains one of Pakistan’s most significant constitutional reforms. It transferred substantial powers from the center to the provinces, ensuring greater autonomy and control over resources. Rabbani, who played a key role in drafting the amendment, said any reversal would amount to rolling back federalism itself.
“Tampering with the 18th Amendment is like tampering with the unity of the federation,” he stated. “It represents the consensus of all political parties and the will of the people.”
Rabbani emphasized that the amendment was not just a legal document but a political covenant designed to strengthen democracy after years of centralized control. He warned that altering it could reopen old wounds between the provinces and the center.
The senator also expressed concern that some political circles were using the guise of “reform” to recentralize powers, a move he said could provoke fresh tensions in Pakistan’s already polarized political climate. He urged political leaders to protect the Constitution instead of revisiting settled matters.
His remarks come amid renewed debate about constitutional restructuring and the possible redistribution of powers between federal and provincial institutions. Analysts say the timing of this discussion is sensitive, given the economic challenges and political uncertainty Pakistan is currently facing.
Earlier this week, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) also took a major policy decision, making local data hosting mandatory for telecom companies a move that reflects how governance and regulation are tightening across key sectors
Political experts believe that such regulatory and constitutional shifts highlight a broader tug-of-war between central authority and institutional independence. Rabbani’s warning, they note, serves as a reminder of the historical struggles to maintain balance within Pakistan’s federal system.
As discussions continue, PPP and other opposition parties are expected to take a firm stance against any move perceived as an attempt to roll back the amendment. For now, Rabbani’s remarks have reignited debate about how far reforms should go and whether Pakistan’s fragile democracy can afford to revisit one of its defining constitutional milestones.
