ZW News HD
Related Articles
Bilawal Says Big Laws Can’t Pass Without PPP Support
PPP chairman says government did not consult the party on the reported 28th constitutional amendment and warns budget approval also depends on PPP backing.
BY MAHNOOR | 15-05-2026
📍 ISLAMABAD:
The federal government’s reported plans for a 28th constitutional amendment faced political resistance on Thursday after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said it had not been consulted on any proposed constitutional changes.
The development has created fresh tension within the ruling coalition ahead of the upcoming federal budget and discussions on major legislation.
After a PPP meeting, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told reporters that he and President Asif Ali Zardari remain in contact with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. However, he clarified that the government has not officially discussed any proposed constitutional amendment with the PPP.
Bilawal stressed the importance of the PPP in maintaining the coalition’s parliamentary strength. He said major constitutional changes and the federal budget cannot pass without the party’s support.
“The government has not consulted the PPP regarding any constitutional amendment,” Bilawal stated.
He further said the PPP had not been taken into confidence over the reported 28th amendment and warned that the party would not support any constitutional changes without approval from its leadership.
Bilawal also highlighted the country’s economic challenges, saying the public is already struggling with inflation and the next budget could increase financial pressure on citizens.
According to him, constitutional amendments require broad political consensus, and the coalition government cannot move forward without support from its allies.
Political analysts believe Bilawal’s statement has made the future of the proposed 28th amendment more uncertain and underlined the need for coalition unity before attempting major constitutional reforms.
Although the government has not officially revealed details of the reported amendment, political discussions suggest it may involve issues related to provincial autonomy and the distribution of financial resources between the federation and provinces.
Historically, the PPP has strongly opposed any move seen as weakening provincial rights or reducing constitutional protections provided under the 18th Amendment.
PPP Defends Provincial Rights, Forms Budget Talks Committee
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also referred to the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments, saying the PPP played a major role in earlier constitutional reforms while consistently protecting provincial rights.
“We did not take away powers from the provinces; instead, we increased them,” Bilawal said.
He pointed to the increase in Senate seats for Balochistan as an example of the PPP’s commitment to strengthening smaller provinces and maintaining provincial autonomy.
Bilawal warned that the country’s economy is already under pressure because of inflation and rising living costs. He said the upcoming federal budget could create additional difficulties for ordinary citizens if relief measures are not introduced.
According to Bilawal, the PPP has repeatedly urged the government to take practical steps to reduce inflation and provide financial relief to the public at both national and local levels.
PPP Announces Budget Negotiation Team
Highlighting the party’s growing involvement in budget discussions, Bilawal announced a four-member PPP committee that will negotiate with the government over the upcoming federal budget.
The committee includes:
- Raja Pervaiz Ashraf
- Senator Saleem Mandviwalla
- Sherry Rehman
- Naveed Qamar
The team is expected to present proposals aimed at reducing the financial burden on citizens and improving economic relief measures. PPP Repeats Demand Against NAB
Bilawal also reiterated the PPP’s long-standing position on accountability reforms, saying the party has consistently supported abolishing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
However, he explained that the PPP backed recent amendments to NAB laws due to political and legal circumstances at the time.
He warned that the party could reconsider its support if the government fails to fulfill its commitments regarding political agreements and governance reforms.
