HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FEDERALISM IN PAKISTAN: AN ANALYSIS OF THE PARLIAMENTRY CONSTITUTIONAL DEBATES

UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY & PAK STUDIES

By: TANZILA PARVEEN

Supervised By: Muhammad Kashif Ali

Academic Level: MPhil

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Abstract

This research seeks to analyze historical development of federal demand in Pakistan’s constitutional history. Pakistan was established on 14th August 1947 after hard struggle of freedom movement. Pakistan faced territorial distance between its two wings and both wings had different federal perspective, East Pakistan demanded for the provincial autonomy while West Pakistan favored strong center. From the creation of Pakistan towards separation of East Pakistan, there had been tussle between the two parts. The three interim reports of BPC had been rejected by all political parties even some PML members also criticized its unfederal features. The East Pakistan denied all three reports for not accepting provincial autonomy and language demand. The constitution of 1956 and 1962 did not satisfied the federal political demand of East Pakistan during this phase Pakistan also faced two Martial Laws and unfortunately East Pakistan separated from West Pakistan. After missing half part now the west Pakistan seriously decided to draw a federal constitution which had provincial autonomy, equal share of provinces on population base, free judiciary etc. This was the constitution of 1973, this constitution also had been suspended twice Military Dictators twice through amendments and turned the constitution from democratic to presidential. In 2006 political leadership sought to revise the constitution in its real federal democratic shape. All leading political parties signed the historic Charter of Democracy to revise federal constitution. The Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment erased all undemocratic and unfederal features, reorganized the NFC, CCI and abolished the Concurrent legislative list. Subjects were divided between the center and provinces on equal basis to ensure province’s autonomy.

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On the direction of the Chairman Senate/President PIPS Board of Governors, the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), has implemented a comprehensive set of measures aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, operational efficiency, and responsible utilization of public resources, on the same lines as notified and adopted by the Senate and National Assembly Secretariats.

Under the new measures, the Institute has adopted a four-day working week (Monday to Thursday), while introducing a hybrid working model whereby 50% of staff will perform duties from the office and 50% will work remotely on a rotational basis. Employees working from home will remain fully accessible through digital communication platforms and may be required to report to the office on short notice, ensuring uninterrupted institutional functioning.

Significant steps have also been taken to promote energy conservation. These include a target of achieving up to 70% reduction in energy consumption through minimizing unnecessary use of electricity and ensuring that official meetings, trainings, and events are scheduled during daylight hours. Foreign tours are banned and international meetings are being held virtually.

In the transport section, PIPS has introduced strict measures to curtail expenditure and 70% official vehicles have been grounded as part of this initiative.

As part of broader austerity efforts, 20% reduction has been imposed on the non-ERE budget for the fourth quarter of the current financial year. The officers drawing a monthly salary of PKR 300,000 or more, shall surrendered two days salary or 5% to 30% salary on gross as per Federal Government decision.

The Institute has also discontinued all non-essential procurements with immediate effect. Official functions such as dinners and receptions will not be hosted, except in the case of visiting foreign delegations, and even then, strictly in accordance with austerity protocols.

These measures have been implemented with immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.

Under the guidance of President PIPS Board of Governors, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, PIPS remains fully committed to maintaining its core functions of parliamentary support, capacity building, and research while contributing proactively to national austerity and sustainability goals.