18th Constitutional amendment

18th Constitutional amendments a landmark achievement; yet it has still to implemented in toto. Instead, talks are in the air to revoke the same. The sole purpose of this exercise is to snatch resources from the provinces and keep them dependant upon the “ security “ state. The federal Govt will get a big pie for funding security; which is an outdated model of security since security means people’s safety and well being, not merely purchasing ammunition, at the cost of people’s safety. Another purpose is to dole out money to the losing Public Sector enterprises who have been in losses worth billions of Rs annually. 

— Federal legislative list- Part 1 contain 53 items pertaining to Defence, foreign affairs, federal finance, Communciation, Commerce and Federal Law. The other 18 items of Federal legislative list- Part 2 are the mandate of CCI, not federal cabinet yet even they have been dealt by the federal government and no secretariat of CCI is established to ensure smooth coordination among the provinces. The 8th NFC Award is being delayed on one pretext or another. 

— The 100 billion package committed for the development of FATA annually for 10 years is in doldrums. Civil Servants meant to be appointed at the departments enumerated at the Federal legislative lists only are ruling the provinces  on pure provincial matters. Besides, the royalties are another story. Well, we need structural changes to ensure a vibrant federation and MUST stay away from drifting towards a unitary security state. Implement the 18th amendment, don’t revoke. It’s an attempt to divide, not unite... !!