Introduction: Why Federalism Matters
Federalism involves sharing power between the national government and the provinces. In Pakistan, the 18th Amendment (2010) transferred more authority to the provinces over areas like health, education, agriculture, and development. It was enacted to bring the government closer to the people and to provide faster, more effective services.
This type of governance also reflects Islamic values. In Islam, justice (adl) and consultation (shura) are fundamental. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ led through mutual advice rather than force. Giving provinces decision-making authority encourages this approach—allowing local leaders to address problems based on local needs.
The Promise of Decentralisation
Before the 18th Amendment, most decisions were made in Islamabad. Now, provinces can develop their own plans and budgets for many essential services.
- Punjab educates over 25 million schoolchildren.
- Sindh manages healthcare for 48 million people.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) runs its own irrigation and hydropower projects.
- Balochistan uses its gas revenue to build roads, schohttps://www.dawn.com/news/1855551?utm_sourceols, and local facilities.
This change enables each province to focus on its own specific issues. For example, in KP, female literacy rose from 45% in 2010 to 60% in 2022. This happened because the province could design programs suited to its people. In Islam, accountability starts at the community level. This model supports that idea.
Challenges—Funding Gaps and Dependence on Islamabad
Although provinces have more control, they still rely heavily on the federal government for funding. In 2022–23, over 75% of provincial budgets came from federal transfers. Without enough funds of their own, provinces often follow the Centre’s orders or rush to meet federal deadlines.
Provinces like Sindh also face limitations on tax collection. About 70% of their local taxes are gathered by the federal government. This restricts local control and complicates planning. Islam teaches self-reliance, not over-dependence. Provinces must be able to generate and manage their own resources to uphold that principle.
Differences in Provincial Performance
Some provinces are moving ahead faster than others:
- Punjab launched the Sehat Sahulat Card, helping poor families get medical care. It also built over 550 primary schools in rural areas.
- KP improved education by starting digital exams and online results through KPBISE. This reduced late fees and made admissions more transparent.
- Sindh launched literacy programs for adults and new health schemes.
However, Balochistan still struggles. Many remote towns and villages lack proper schools and clinics. Some projects remain incomplete due to staff shortages or insufficient funding.
These differences demonstrate that effective local government requires strong leadership, adequate funding, and trained staff.
Islamic Values and Local Governance
Islam provides clear guidance on leadership. The Prophet ﷺ stated that every leader is responsible for those they oversee. This means leaders must act honestly, seek their people’s advice, and serve the public.
When provinces manage their own affairs and are monitored by citizens, it helps reduce corruption. People know who to hold responsible. This builds trust in the system, which is both an Islamic and civic value.
Steps to Strengthen Provincial Governance
To make federalism work better, Pakistan must take practical steps:
- Let provinces collect more taxes from land, farming, and small businesses.
- Allow provinces to borrow money for large public projects like roads and hospitals.
- Train and hire staff fairly through open processes.
- Publish simple, precise data on each province’s progress in health, education, and taxation.
- Utilise town halls and mobile apps to solicit citizen ideas and enable them to track progress.
These steps will strengthen provinces and help fulfill Islamic goals of fairness and public service.
The Role of the National Government
The federal government still plays a crucial role. Islamabad should manage defense, foreign policy, and the national economy. It should also make sure provinces respond effectively during emergencies like floods, earthquakes, or pandemics.
But the Centre should act as a mentor, not a master. It should help provinces grow through support, guidance, and honest partnerships, not control. This team approach can lift all of Pakistan.
Examples of Provincial Success
Many positive stories already exist:
- In KP, the Lady Health Worker Program has over 8,000 midwives helping women in remote areas.
- Punjab’s Sehat Sahulat gives 6 million families free hospital care.
- Sindh has helped over 250,000 adults learn to read and write since 2020.
- In Gilgit-Baltistan, many community-run schools are doing well with provincial help.
These examples prove that local governance, when done well, leads to better services for people
“Federalism and local governments” — Dawn News — highlights how provincial autonomy was central to the framers of the 1973 Constitution.
Remaining Roadblocks
Despite progress, some serious problems remain:
- Political interference delays good decisions.
- Balochistan and GB still lack trained staff and strong budgets.
- Oversight is weak—without media and civil society, leaders aren’t held responsible.
- Overlapping federal and provincial programs waste time and money.
Islam calls on the entire community—leaders and people—to be responsible. Everyone must work together to fix these gaps.
Conclusion: A Fairer, Stronger Pakistan
Federalism gives Pakistan a chance to provide fair and swift services. It allows local leaders to make informed decisions based on real needs. It helps people see improvements in their towns and villages.
Islam teaches us to serve honestly and listen to those we lead. Our Constitution provides us with the tools. Now, we must use them correctly—by granting provinces financial independence, full authority, and public trust. The Centre should support and guide, not interfere.
A strong Pakistan means strong provinces. When each region grows, the whole nation rises.
