The Distribution of Power between Federal

and Provincial Governments in Pakistan

Submitted To: Madam Shehla Gull

Submitted By: Urwa Shafan

Course Tittle: Ideology and Constitution of Pakistan

Course Code: GE-202

Semester: BS–Economics

Department of Economics
 The Distribution of Power between Federal

and Provincial Governments in Pakistan

Introduction

Pakistan is a federal republic, meaning that the power is divided between the federal
government and the provincial governments. The federal government is responsible for
matters of national importance, such as defense, foreign policy, and currency. The
provincial governments are responsible for matters of local importance, such as
education, healthcare, and agriculture.

The distribution of power between the federal and provincial governments is enshrined in
the Constitution of Pakistan. The Constitution sets out a list of subjects that are the
exclusive responsibility of the federal government, and a list of subjects that are the
exclusive responsibility of the provincial governments. There is also a list of concurrent
subjects, which are the responsibility of both the federal government and the provincial
governments.

The Federal Government

The federal government is headed by the Prime Minister, who is elected by the National
Assembly. The National Assembly is the lower house of Parliament, and it is made up of
342 members who are elected by the people. The Prime Minister is responsible for
appointing a cabinet of ministers, who are responsible for various government
departments.

The federal government has a number of important responsibilities, including:

• Defense

• Foreign policy
• Currency

• Taxation

• Customs

• Immigration

• Railways

• National highways

• Postal services

• Telecommunications

• Radio and television broadcasting

• Nuclear energy

• Scientific and technological research

• Higher education

The Provincial Governments

The provincial governments are headed by the Chief Ministers, who are elected by the
Provincial Assemblies. The Provincial Assemblies are the lower houses of the provincial
parliaments, and they are made up of members who are elected by the people. The Chief
Minister is responsible for appointing a cabinet of ministers, who are responsible for
various provincial government departments.

The provincial governments have a number of important responsibilities, including:

• Education

• Healthcare

• Agriculture

• Local government

• Public works
• Police

• Forests

• Irrigation

• Environment

• Mines and minerals

• Wildlife

Concurrent Subjects

Concurrent subjects are the responsibility of both the federal government and the
provincial governments. This means that both the federal and provincial governments can
legislate on these subjects.

Some examples of concurrent subjects include:

• Labour

• Environment

• Social welfare

• Tourism

• Housing

• Urban planning

• Price control

Distribution of Power in Practice

In practice, the distribution of power between the federal and provincial governments has
been a source of tension and conflict throughout Pakistan's history. The federal
government has often been accused of centralizing power and encroaching on the
provincial governments' authority. The provincial governments, on the other hand, have
often accused the federal government of not giving them enough autonomy.
The distribution of power has also been affected by the country's military history. The
military has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its history, and during this time, the power
of the federal government has been greatly increased.

In recent years, there has been a trend towards decentralization, with the provincial
governments being given more autonomy. This trend is likely to continue in the future, as
the provincial governments become more powerful and assertive.

Conclusion
The distribution of power between the federal and provincial governments in Pakistan is a crucial
issue, as it has a direct impact on the country's governance, development, and stability. The
Constitution of Pakistan provides a framework for the distribution of power, but in practice, the
balance of power has shifted over time, with the federal government often assuming greater
control. This has led to tensions and conflicts between the federal and provincial governments,
which have hampered effective governance and delivery of services of the people.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to strengthen provincial autonomy
and decentralize power. This is essential to ensure that the needs of all provinces are met and that
development is inclusive and equitable. The 18th Constitutional Amendment, passed in 2010, was
a significant step in this direction, as it devolved a number of powers from the federal government
to the provinces. However, there is still room for further decentralization, and the federal
government must play a constructive role in supporting the provinces to build their capacity and
deliver services effectively.

The future of federalism in Pakistan depends on the ability of the federal and provincial
governments to work together in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. This will require a
commitment to democratic principles and a willingness to compromise. The federal government
must also be willing to relinquish some of its power in order to strengthen provincial autonomy.
By working together, the federal and provincial governments can create a more effective and
responsive system of governance that meets the needs of all Pakistanis.