Evolution of Federalism in Pakistan: From 1947 to 18th Amendment
Abstract
The evolution of federalism in Pakistan from 1947 when Pakistan was created federation under the interim constitution of 1935. The Constitutions of 1956 and 1973 represented significant milestones in the establishment of a federal framework, with the latter acknowledging provincial autonomy and providing a foundation for a more equitable distribution of power. This study aims to explore the evaluation of federalism in Pakistan from 1947 to 2013 and seeks to critically examine whether these reforms effectively strengthened federalism and to what extent they addressed longstanding provincial grievances. Additionally, the study explores the external and historical factors that influenced the government’s ability to implement decentralization. The principal objective of this research is to interpret the federal guidelines adopted through constitutional arrangements. Furthermore, the study assesses the effects of significant constitutional changes, including the 1956 and 1973 Constitutions, as well as important legislative actions on the federal system. The proposed study has adopted qualitative, theoretical, historical, descriptive and analytical case study design.
Keywords: Federalism, Constitution, Evaluation, Pakistan.
