NFC Award, 18th Amendment non-negotiable, says Aimal Wali

ISLAMABAD
Awami National Party (ANP) central president Senator Aimal Wali Khan has said Pakistan is not merely at a critical juncture but is “sitting on a dangerous time bomb”, with inflation, unemployment, political polarisation and growing distrust between the state and citizens creating an explosive situation.
Addressing a press conference along with other party leaders at the conclusion of the ANP’s four-day central meetings in Islamabad, he said the country’s problems could be addressed through the Constitution, rule of law, democratic dialogue and protection of the constitutional rights of provinces.
He said the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award was a constitutional right of the provinces and could not be curtailed or weakened. The 18th Constitutional Amendment, he added, was the foundation of the federal system and provincial autonomy, but had yet to be implemented in letter and spirit.
“Strong provinces make a strong federation, and a strong federation guarantees a strong Pakistan,” he said, urging the government to fully implement the 18th Amendment and provide provinces their due powers and resources.
Mr Khan said ANP had openly opposed an amendment concerning the powers of the Council of Islamic Ideology in the Senate, alleging that even the government was unaware of the bill being introduced. He criticised what he described as major decisions being taken outside parliament without adequate debate.
“Legislation should come through the public mandate, not contractors,” he said, urging every institution to perform its constitutional responsibilities.
He warned that any attempt to tamper with the constitutional structure or undermine the NFC Award and the 18th Amendment would face strong resistance from the ANP.
On the question of new provinces, he said ANP supported the principle of creating provinces on the basis of nationalities, but stressed that such decisions should follow serious national dialogue and serve the interests of the people rather than a few individuals.
Regarding the merged districts, Mr Khan said the situation remained alarming, with weak state machinery, inadequate resources and continuing security threats. He said repeated announcements of financial packages had not translated into sufficient resources on the ground.
He said the merged districts needed peace, resources, administration, education, healthcare and employment, adding that practical measures and funds should be visible on the ground instead of mere announcements.
The ANP leader said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan had made the greatest sacrifices in the war against terrorism, while the ANP remained a major political target of militants because of its opposition to extremism, occupation of its homeland and exploitation of resources.
Referring to Afghanistan, he said the closure of borders and disruption of trade were causing serious difficulties for communities on both sides, particularly people in KP and Balochistan. He warned that unemployment caused by the closure of border trade could push young people towards armed groups and private militias.
On regional tensions, Mr Khan welcomed Pakistan’s diplomatic role in the context of tensions between the United States and Iran, saying diplomacy was the only sustainable path to peace. He urged the government to adopt a similarly serious diplomatic approach in dealing with neighbouring countries.
He said every part of Pakistan, from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan to Waziristan and Balochistan, deserved equal security, state presence and fundamental rights. Expressing anger over the PIMS tragedy, he called for a transparent and impartial investigation to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
Mr Khan also alleged that the ANP was being politically restricted and prevented from reaching voters, while its leadership continued to face security threats. He said the party would be compelled to approach the people if its voice was not heard in parliament and other forums.
Criticising repeated increases in petroleum prices, he said the government raised prices quickly whenever international rates increased but failed to reduce them proportionately when global prices declined. He called for relief for people already facing inflation, unemployment and economic hardship.
On the reported defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, he said major national and defence decisions should be discussed in parliament and the public should be informed about the terms and implications of any such agreement.
Mr Khan also called for the release of political prisoners, including Ali Wazir, and said the health and lives of prisoners should remain above political differences.
He said ANP was not seeking to break up Pakistan but wanted to strengthen the country by ensuring constitutional rule, implementation of the 18th Amendment, provincial rights, peace and development in the merged districts, political freedom and protection of human rights.
“We want a Pakistan where every citizen is treated equally, the state has authority in every area, and the Constitution and democracy prevail,” he said.