PESHAWAR: The Pakhtunkhwa Jamhoori Ittehad, an alliance of nationalists groups, on Wednesday vowed to resist any bid to roll back the 18th Constitutional Amendment as it would deepen the sense of deprivation among the smaller units of the federation.

The concern was voiced at a meeting with the Ittehad convener Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao in the chair, according to a statement.

The meeting warned to launch a protest movement and offer resistance if the government tried to repeal the constitutional amendment.

The participants included Mukhtair Bacha of National Party Pakhtunkhwa Wahdat, Akhunzada Haider Zaman of Awami Workers Party, Shakil Waheedullah of Mazdoor Kissan Party and Dr Said Alam Mehsood of Pakhtunkhwa Ulsi Tehreek. They said the 18th Constitutional Amendment was made after a long struggle by the opposition parties.

Expressing concern over the reports that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government was going to roll back the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the leaders of the alliance said it would weaken the federation.

The meeting also accused the government of planning to make changes in the National Finance Commission award, saying they had expected the PTI government to give more powers and rights to the provinces but it was doing the vice versa.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2020