PAKISTAN'S 18TH AMENDMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY AND GOVERNANCE REFORMS
Abstract
The 18th constitutional amendment did away with the Concurrent Legislative List which gave many legislative authorities to provincial assemblies to deal with regional problems. Structural development was done through processes as the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and National Economic Council (NEC) that encouraged federalism provincial input. While analyzing financial areas reforms under the NFC have made the proper distributions of revenues for provinces to exploit natural resources. The Amendment was also intended as a response to past wrongdoings to ensure that power sharing formula together with fiscal decentralization and devolution would ensure equity and good governance at the sub- national level. For a long time, it represented political growth, with the changes being made being relayed on the figures in the leadership whose ability to network across party affiliations was seen as one indicated their capability to work for the progress of the country. The change of province names and the increase of Senate representation for minority gave another meaning to the Hispanic and regional consciousness. Nonetheless, the Amendment brought new meaning to federalism, provision of central control together with decentralized power to the regions. It was supposed to settle the inter-provincial animosities, increase the efficiency of governmental institutions and help lift the living standard of the deprived groups. Being a landmark for Pakistan’s constitution it speaks of principles of fairness in governance, balanced regional growth and strong democratic framework.
