The All India Muslim League under Jinnah had just decided to launch a struggle for a separate country when the Lahore Resolution was passed in 1940. Most vital matters including the name of the new country were yet to be settled. There was, however, unanimity among the Leaguers who gathered at the Minto Park on one issue. The new country was to be a federation with maximum rights for the provinces. The idea finds place in the Lahore Resolution written in indelible words carved out of stone at the base of the Minar-e-Pakistan.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah got convinced of the need for provincial autonomy after gauging the depth of the sentiment which had grown out of the socio-economic compulsions in the Muslim majority provinces. The sentiment for provincial autonomy was the strongest in Punjab where a small educated Muslim middle class had emerged as a result of quotas in educational institutions and government departments allotted under Sir Fazle Hussains reforms. The measures were widely opposed by parties dominated by the Hindu business class. It was feared at the time that in case of a strong centre, the reforms including the 1901 Land Alienation Act, favouring Muslim majority cultivators, could also be reversed. The struggle for the separation of Sindh from Bombay had just borne fruit and there was a strong sentiment among Sindhis for ensuring provincial autonomy in the new set up. In Bengal and NWFP too, the Muslim population viewed a strong centre with fear and anxiety.
Pakistans subsequent history provides enough evidence that violation of the provincial autonomy can be catastrophic for the federation. The idea was rightly enshrined along with that of parliamentary democracy in the 1973 Constitution. A promise made at the time to revisit the quantum of autonomy could, however, be retrieved after the 18th amendment was passed in 2010. Meanwhile, the violations of the principle of provincial autonomy by military rulers created a widespread sense of deprivation in smaller provinces, particularly Balochistan. Implementation of the 18th amendment in letter and spirit alone can strengthen the federation.
