Supreme Court Bar Association chief supports 18th Constitutional Amendment

Syed Qalb-i-Hassan says greater provincial autonomy strengthens state

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Syed Qalb-i-Hassan has said that provincial autonomy ensured through the 18th Constitutional Amendment must not be compromised for the sake of economy.

In a statement on Wednesday, he emphasised that the provincial governments were actually responsible for serving people at the grassroots level, saying that a greater autonomy to the provinces ensured strengthening of the state rather than weakening it.

“Democratic process and the provincial autonomy as ensured after the 18th Amendment, in line with original scheme of the 1973 Constitution, must not be compromised only for the sake of economy,” the SCBA chief said.

“Rather it be safeguarded by all democratic forces in the larger interest of the country and continuity of the federal democratic system of government as enshrined in the Constitution of 1973,” he added. “Greater autonomy of the provinces ensures strengthening of the state rather than weakening it.”

Hassan went on to say that it was unfortunate that a “calculative move had been launched” against the 18th Amendment amid claims that large amount of financial resources was transferred to the provinces, limiting the monetary space for the federal government.

This argument, he said, did not appear “convincing as after paying for defence and debt servicing, the federal government still has surplus to meet other expenses”.

Moreover, he added, the federal government could improve its financial situation by increasing tax base and revenue collection.

The SCBA chairman said that after the departure of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, parliament was able to restore the democratic and federal characteristics of the Constitution through the 18th Amendment which paved the way for Pakistan to become a true federation.

The constitutional amendment, he said, granted effective legislative and financial autonomy to the provinces and strengthened the democratic dispensation by ensuring political transitions through electoral process.

“The provincial governments are actually responsible for serving people at the grassroots level by setting up infrastructures for good governance. It is imperative that the provinces … enjoy maximum autonomy to serve the people and safeguard their rights and interests.”

Syed Qalb-i-Hassan also stressed the need for “all the stakeholders, may be at the Centre or at provinces”, to make concerted efforts to strengthen and empower the local government system across the country.