The devolution process

The 18th Amendment gives provinces more autonomy, but also a great deal of additional responsibility is given to them.

The massive delegation of powers by the central government to the provinces completes the process of devolution initiated a year ago under the 18th Amendment Bill. In a statement coinciding with the notification handing over seven more ministries to complete the 17 that have gone over to the provinces, Senator Raza Rabbani described the process as the most important step taken since 1947 to realign central and provincial powers.

The seven ministries that go to the provinces in the final phase of devolution are the ministries of women development, minority affairs, sports, environment, health, food and agriculture and labour and manpower resources. Other key ministries, including education, had already been devolved in earlier stages. As Senator Rabbani said, the provinces now have more powers than ever before. This meets a long-standing provincial demand for more autonomy and, in theory at least, could help ease the frictions with the centre that have for decades marred the working of our federation. But a great deal still remains to be seen. The provinces have more autonomy, but also a great deal of additional responsibility placed upon them. How they will handle it remains to be seen. As Senator Rabbani said, the system worked out may well be imperfect. It may require refinements and changes from future governments to make sure it is able to work effectively and efficiently. The capacity of provinces will now be tested as they take on the mammoth task of handling education, health and other vital sectors. Adjustments of various kinds may need to be made along the way to help them with this.

Devolution is a courageous step taken by the central government. It will have to remain active to work out areas of potential problems such as that of the status of various bodies including the National Commission for the Status of Women and The Higher Education Commission. Mr Rabbani has suggested that the Council of Common Interests could play a role in this. The outcome of the move will be watched closely but the step on the whole is obviously one to be warmly welcomed.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2011.