DECENTRALIZATION IN PAKISTAN: THE IMPACT OF THE 18TH AMENDMENT ON PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY

Abstract

The 18^th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, enacted in 2010, marked a significant shift in the country's federal structure by transferring substantial legislative, administrative, and financial powers from the central government to the provinces. This study critically examines the amendment's role in advancing decentralization and strengthening provincial autonomy. By analyzing constitutional provisions, institutional reforms, and sectoral devolution, particularly in health, education, and local governance. The evaluates the extent to which the amendment has redefined center-province relations. The challenges provinces face in terms of capacity, coordination, and policy implementation in the post-amendment era. While the 18th Amendment is hailed as a milestone in Pakistan's democratic evolution, its practical outcomes remain mixed, with uneven progress across regions and sectors. The paper concludes that while the amendment has laid a strong legal foundation for decentralization, sustained political will, institutional strengthening, and fiscal reforms are essential for realizing the full potential of provincial autonomy in Pakistan.