Maps
Magazine

POLITICS & POLICY MAKING

Rana Sanaullah Calls for Balanced Resource Sharing Under 18th Amendment
PM’s Advisor Rana Sanaullah says the 18th Amendment needs a balance in resource distribution between provinces and the federation — stresses that constitutional reform through consensus is part of democracy.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-04
Rana Sanaullah Calls for Balanced Resource Sharing Under 18th Amendment

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that the distribution of resources between the federation and provinces under the 18th Amendment needs to be balanced, adding that any constitutional change must come through parliamentary consensus.

Speaking to reporters, the senior PML-N leader emphasized that the Constitution of Pakistan is a sacred document, but it is not immutable. “Amendments are made to the Constitution for its improvement,” he said, noting that 26 amendments have already been passed since 1973.

“If a two-thirds majority of Parliament agrees, the Constitution can be amended,” Sanaullah remarked. “Debates and discussions on constitutional matters are healthy signs of democracy, and they must continue.”

He clarified that the government is not immediately introducing the 27th Constitutional Amendment, as discussions among parliamentarians and political parties are still ongoing. “These are not decisions that happen overnight,” he said.

Addressing concerns raised by some political quarters, Rana Sanaullah reaffirmed that the PML-N has no issue with the 18th Amendment, but believes there is a need to revisit the resource-sharing formula between the provinces and the federal government.

“The 18th Amendment determined the distribution of resources based on the realities of that time. If today there are practical differences, there is no harm in discussing or reconsidering them,” he explained. “If a consensus is reached, any amendment will be made with a two-thirds majority in Parliament.”

On the judicial front, the Prime Minister’s Advisor said that all political parties agree on the need for a Constitutional Court to improve judicial efficiency. “The formation of a constitutional court will allow for better handling of constitutional matters,” he said.

He recalled that during earlier discussions, the opposition and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had proposed forming a constitutional bench instead of a full court. “When an agreement was nearly reached, the PTI backed out and refused to sign,” he revealed.

Sanaullah’s remarks come amid heightened political debate over the government’s proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, which is expected to include provisions related to constitutional courts, magisterial reforms, and the formal recognition of the Field Marshal rank under Article 243.
Tagged:

PMLN

PakistanPolitics

RanaSanaullah

18thamendment
Share News: