Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday issued a stark caution against the dilution or reversal of constitutionally mandated decentralisation, stressing that devolution in Pakistan has frequently been cyclical rather than durable due to persistent fiscal weaknesses and administrative mismatches.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of the Devolution Summit 2026, the Chairman Senate asserted that decentralisation is a constitutional obligation, not a political option, and must be treated as a comprehensive system supported by law, resources, and capable institutions.
He commended Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Speaker of the Punjab Provincial Assembly, and Ahmad Iqbal Chaudhry, Convener of the Punjab Local Government Caucus, for organising the two-day forum. The summit gathered parliamentarians, legal experts, administrators, economists, and civil society representatives for structured deliberations on the subject.
Reflecting on his tenure as Prime Minister, Mr Gilani described the Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment as a landmark achievement that restored parliamentary supremacy and entrenched provincial autonomy. He recounted the transfer of key subjects like education and health to the provinces and the abolition of the Concurrent Legislative List as fundamental shifts in the federal balance.
The Acting President recalled the establishment of an Implementation Commission under Article 270AA to oversee the transfer of seventeen federal ministries, a process that culminated in the observance of Provincial Autonomy Day on 1st July 2011. He noted this demonstrated that devolution is a continuous process requiring sustained political will and intergovernmental cooperation.
Connecting constitutional reform with financial empowerment, he termed the Seventh National Finance Commission (NFC) Award an essential complement to the 18th Amendment. He explained that the award aligned responsibilities with resources by enhancing the provincial share in federal revenues, a key pillar of effective federalism.
However, Mr Gilani pointed to significant ongoing challenges, observing that resources do not consistently follow devolved functions. He called for predictable, rule-based fiscal arrangements and greater financial authority at sub-provincial levels to improve accountability and service delivery.
He also addressed administrative hurdles, pointing to a fundamental conflict between Pakistan”s three-tier constitutional structure and a bureaucracy designed for a centralised state. The Senate Chairman insisted that civil service structures and incentives must be reformed to align with decentralised governance.
Underscoring the importance of grassroots democracy, Mr Gilani described local governments as the most immediate expression of the state. He advocated for strengthening these institutions through regular elections and the clear definition of their powers and financial resources to fulfil the constitutional promise of devolution.
In this context, he highlighted the Senate”s role in creating a Committee on Devolution to oversee implementation, identify bottlenecks, and engage with governments to uphold the nation”s constitutional balance.
The Acting President welcomed the Islamabad Devolution Summit Charter, characterising it as a practical roadmap. He remarked that its true value would be realised through sustained advocacy and its translation into legislative and executive action.
Reaffirming the Upper House”s commitment, Mr Gilani stated the Senate will continue to be a guardian of the federal balance and a catalyst for reforms. He concluded that effective devolution strengthens national cohesion, deepens democratic participation, and builds public trust in state institutions.