July 1, declared as the day of provincial autonomy to mark the completion of devolution process, failed to elicit the kind of public and media attention as it rightfully deserved, given its far-reaching impact on the direction of our state and society.
While the national attention was rightfully focused on what was transpiring in Pakistan’s financial hub, Karachi, the political parties remained busy in trading allegations without offering any concrete insight into the enigma Pakistan increasingly finds itself in.
As the Karachi burnt and innocent people lost their lives to the stray bullets, political forces played up to the gallery and did little to stem the tide of violence and mayhem. In these dire circumstances, the country’s national political scene remained abuzz with talk of the Grand National Alliance.
Despite the severity of these challenges, July 1 deserved to be celebrated with zeal and zest as it represented the success of politics of reconciliation the political forces demonstrated on the occasion of the passage of historic 18th constitutional amendment.
The observers of national scene are aware of the fact that traditionally speaking, lack of political will and inability of the successive administrations to transfer political, economic and administrative power to the federating units has been at the heart of preset predicaments and challenges the country is bogged down in. An historical look at the gradual evolution of provincial autonomy in the context of Pakistan is in order, which would give one an idea as to what the completion of devolution process symbolises.
AMANAT ALI CHAUDHRY
Lahore
