18th Amendment: An Appraisal of Its Initial Decade and its Implications

Abstract

This paper is a notion of the idea of constitutional advancement as to federalism in Pakistan. The extant on federalism and provincial autonomy is thought-provoking as it is not only fragmented the chronicle of federalism but indicates the assortment of federal engagements to assure the provincial liberty in terms of political and financial dimensions as well. It also studies political relevance of provincial autonomy in pre and post 18th Amendment context. This study investigates federal structure and provincial autonomy in the light of politico-economic eclipse and withal reviews persuasion process which has been delegated many ministries and functions, to provinces after abolishing the Concurrent List. The Amendment has provided holding and assistance to provinces not merely in the policy but also in the logistics of natural resources, boomed legislative powers of provincial assemblies on money regulations including taxation and international borrowing. The philanthropies of the state and politicians along with civil society have a dynamic concern in controlling the combats between federation and provinces by forging indigenous federalism inculcated in the local polity which can certify unity neck and neck in heterogeneity. The dissertation halts by suggesting some policy means to emend federalism in Pakistan. Comparatively, decentralized and governance across the board is more linear to enable Pakistani federation to entertain interests, identities and working of institution is the central theme of this paper.