Essays
The Lahore Journal of Economics 15: SE (September 2010): pp. 15-31
The Endemic Crisis of Federalism in Pakistan Raza Ahmad∗
Abstract This paper looks at the issue of federalism in Pakistan. It begins with an analysis of the conceptual paradigms of federalism and goes on to examine the history of federalism in Pakistan. The paper goes on to discuss the reasons for the failure to develop an organic federal covenant as well as discuss how the 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and the 18th Amendment may be indicative of a paradigm shift. The paper concludes by presenting the way forward for federalism in Pakistan. Keywords: Federalism, governance, Pakistan. JEL Classification: H77, O2. I. Introduction This paper will examine the history of Pakistan’s experiments with systems of state governance, with a view to understanding the dynamics of Pakistan’s various federal arrangements and their impact over time. In doing so, this paper will argue that Pakistan has failed to establish an effective federal covenant between its constituent units, despite some incremental movements toward regional autonomy and devolution. It will further argue that, in an attempt to shift the focus of the analysis toward the agency of societal forces, the failure to create a workable national covenant has led to what may be called the syndrome of a ‘failing society’. This assertion will entail an analysis of contemporary political attempts to rectify the dynamics between federating units, for charting the potential course of Pakistan’s future federal arrangements. Before one can embark on the task of tracing Pakistan’s federal trajectory, however, it is necessary to theoretically identify, locate, and explicate federalism in order to comprehend its significance in the context of the Pakistani state.
∗
Raza Ahmad is a policy adviser and researcher based in Lahore. He has worked with the Asian Development Bank, United Nations and the Government of Pakistan.
16
Raza Ahmad
The Endemic Crisis of Federalism in Pakistan Raza Ahmad∗
Abstract This paper looks at the issue of federalism in Pakistan. It begins with an analysis of the conceptual paradigms of federalism and goes on to examine the history of federalism in Pakistan. The paper goes on to discuss the reasons for the failure to develop an organic federal covenant as well as discuss how the 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and the 18th Amendment may be indicative of a paradigm shift. The paper concludes by presenting the way forward for federalism in Pakistan. Keywords: Federalism, governance, Pakistan. JEL Classification: H77, O2. I. Introduction This paper will examine the history of Pakistan’s experiments with systems of state governance, with a view to understanding the dynamics of Pakistan’s various federal arrangements and their impact over time. In doing so, this paper will argue that Pakistan has failed to establish an effective federal covenant between its constituent units, despite some incremental movements toward regional autonomy and devolution. It will further argue that, in an attempt to shift the focus of the analysis toward the agency of societal forces, the failure to create a workable national covenant has led to what may be called the syndrome of a ‘failing society’. This assertion will entail an analysis of contemporary political attempts to rectify the dynamics between federating units, for charting the potential course of Pakistan’s future federal arrangements. Before one can embark on the task of tracing Pakistan’s federal trajectory, however, it is necessary to theoretically identify, locate, and explicate federalism in order to comprehend its significance in the context of the Pakistani state.
∗
Raza Ahmad is a policy adviser and researcher based in Lahore. He has worked with the Asian Development Bank, United Nations and the Government of Pakistan.
16
Raza Ahmad
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