PML (N) has done well by promptly rejecting rumours being spread by some vested interests that the party, if returned to power, would make changes to the 18th Constitutional Amendment. In a press statement issued on Monday, Central Information Secretary and former Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb dismissed such reports outright stating there was such a proposal under consideration of the party.
There is no doubt that the amendment changed almost one third of the entire Constitution but the reforms were done after thorough consideration and debate. A 27-member Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms (representing all parliamentary parties and groups) was formed for the purpose, which met for 77 times and revisited all 280 articles of the Constitution and based on its recommendations the Parliament adopted the 18th amendment aimed at improving transparency in the political system, minimizing individual discretion, strengthening parliament and provincial assemblies, increasing provincial autonomy, ensuring the independence of the judiciary, strengthening fundamental rights and promoting good governance. It is rightly argued that the amendment turned Pakistan from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary republic; legislative and financial autonomy was granted to the provinces; North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) was renamed as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa; and a ban on becoming third time prime minister and chief minister was lifted. It is, however, claimed by some circles that the devolution part was not conceived and implemented properly resulting in duplication and overlapping of functions between the Federation and the provinces. It is also said that much power and resources have been devolved to the provinces at the expense of the federation. There is also weight in the contention that the provinces have been strengthened but they are not willing to devolve powers and resources to the local government tier of the system and as a result core problems of the people remain unresolved. It may, however, be pointed out that parliament made the changes and it remains the competent forum to bring further changes and reverse any of those made earlier. The tendency of point scoring at the expense of national unity and cohesion must be avoided. Similarly, false propaganda and disinformation campaigns are regrettable and it is the responsibility of the media not to propagate one-sided versions and try to give verified versions of reports.
