CHARSADDA: Awami National Party central president Aimal Wali Khan on Saturday said the 18th Constitutional Amendment was a silent revolution and a bright chapter in constitutional history.

In his statement on the occasion of the 15th Foundation Day of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, Mr Aimal said the ANP was not only the architect of the Constitution but it was its protector as well.

“April 19 marks the completion of 15 years since the 18th Constitutional Amendment became part of the Constitution. This historic day is also known for the grant of autonomy to provinces, democratic supremacy, and identity to federating units,” he said.

The ANP leader said the 18th Constitutional Amendment was not just a legal reform but an ideological and political success.

He said the amendment was the result of the “tireless struggle, sacrifices and constitutional insight” of the ANP and other democratic forces.

“The 18th Constitutional Amendment was the culmination of the struggle that was launched by Bacha Khan, while Abdul Wali Khan laid a strong foundation for it in the 1973 Constitution,” he said.

Mr Aimal said under the leadership of Asfandyar Wali Khan, the ANP made the constitutional and parliamentary success possible in 2010.

He said with the amendments, they got their identity in the form of the name “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” and devolved education, health, culture, tourism, minerals and other important sectors to provinces.

“The foundation for fair distribution of resources was laid and opportunities for development were provided to the underdeveloped areas,” he said.

Mr Aimal said the federal units got the right to constitutional equality and autonomy through the amendment.

“Unfortunately, even today, there are continuous attempts to weaken this amendment and rollback,” he said.

The ANP leader said various tactics were being used to restrict the 18th Constitutional Amendment and provincial autonomy.

He said the mines and minerals bill was against the spirit of the historic constitutional amendment and was a direct attack on provincial autonomy.

“An attempt is being made to weaken the province’s authority over mineral resources and hand them over to certain institutions,” he said.

Mr Aimal warned if any attempt was made to weaken the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the state won’t be able to bear the loss.

He said the ANP would defend provincial autonomy at every level and at any forum in every constitutional and democratic way.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2025