Karachi: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that defending the 18th Amendment and provincial rights is the greatest need of the present time, emphasizing that major health and public welfare projects in the provinces are only possible because of the authority granted under the amendment.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new SIUT unit in Karachi, Bilawal stated that the federal government in Islamabad intends to reclaim powers related to education and population control from the provinces. He warned that withdrawing authority from any administrative tier inevitably leads to negative consequences.
Bilawal termed the 18th Amendment the most effective framework for managing the health sector and reaffirmed that the PPP would continue to defend provincial rights. He praised the decision to convert a five-star hotel into a five-star hospital, calling it a commendable initiative. He further highlighted that Sindh hosts one of the world’s largest heart hospital networks and that the PPP has consistently served marginalized communities.
Commenting on the ongoing national debate surrounding provincial rights and distribution of resources, Bilawal asserted that Sindh’s healthcare system stands as the strongest response to such criticism. He pointed to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), noting that the improvement after the 18th Amendment is clearly visible. According to him, provincial institutions in Sindh have strengthened significantly since the amendment was passed.
