PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) has released a detailed white paper marking 16 years since the passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, highlighting what it describes as a gap between constitutional intent and ground realities in governance and devolution.
The white paper states that the 18th Amendment, passed in 2010, was a landmark achievement in strengthening Pakistan’s federal structure and provincial autonomy. However, it argues that despite 16 years having passed, its benefits have not fully reached the public.
Titled “18th Constitutional Amendment: Transfer of Powers, Imbalance and Crisis of Local Democracy,” the report says the ANP has consistently supported provincial autonomy and a stronger federation. It notes that while the abolition of the Concurrent List and transfer of powers to provinces was a major constitutional milestone, both federal and provincial governments have failed to fully implement the spirit of the reform.
The document claims that the federal government has at times attempted to restrict provincial autonomy and reclaim financial authority, while provincial administrations have also failed to devolve powers and resources further to the local level.
It further alleges that abolished federal ministries were restructured under different names, and that key sectors such as real estate and agriculture remain outside an effective tax net. The paper also criticizes fiscal arrangements under international financial obligations, stating that pressure to maintain provincial surpluses has negatively affected development and public welfare projects.
On local governance, the white paper says that funds transferred under the National Finance Commission Award have largely remained concentrated at provincial capitals, while constitutional provisions under Article 140A have not been fully implemented. It further criticizes the repeated dissolution of local governments and the replacement of elected representatives with administrative structures.
The ANP also calls for stronger fiscal autonomy for districts and grassroots institutions, urging constitutional measures to ensure timely local elections and direct financial empowerment at the district and village level.
It further states that the party will not accept any move that tries to change the financial allocation of provinces according to the NFC award or the latest constitutional changes. In addition, it calls upon the federal government to cut down its expenses instead of putting financial pressure on the provinces.
As per the white paper, although there has been improvement in the political agreement on the issue of federalism through the 18th amendment, there are still some shortcomings in the devolution of power at the grassroots level.
