HYDERABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday demanded the federal government immediately convene a meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC) and announce a new award to ensure equitable distribution of resources between the Centre and provinces.
Speaking to journalists, Bilawal emphasized that the current NFC Award is outdated and fails to address the financial needs of provinces. “Responsibilities have been delegated to provinces, but the NFC Award remains unchanged,” he stated. He also criticized the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for failing to meet tax targets, asserting that provinces should not suffer due to the Centre’s inefficiencies.
The PPP chairman insisted that resources linked to powers devolved under the 18th Amendment must be fully transferred to provinces. “The federal government cannot shift its failures onto the provinces,” he said, accusing Islamabad of financial mismanagement.
Bilawal praised the ongoing development projects in Hyderabad, including the Ring Road, and urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to approve an airport for the city. “For the first time, I’m seeing rapid progress here—Hyderabad deserves its own airport,” he added.
When questioned about speculation regarding a potential 27th Constitutional Amendment, Bilawal dismissed the reports as “baseless rumours.” He clarified that the federal government had not consulted PPP, a key coalition ally, on any such legislation.
The PPP leader’s statements come amid growing tensions over fiscal decentralization and provincial rights, setting the stage for a potential political showdown over resource allocation in the coming months.