Pakistan Competitive Exam

Federation vs Regionalism

Pakistan has a notable degree of ethnic and linguistic diversity, encompassing several groups such as Punjabis, Sindhis, Pashtuns, Balochs, and Muhajirs, among others. The federal system of the nation has frequently encountered challenges in effectively addressing the unique identities and aspirations of its diverse groups, resulting in regional frustrations and calls for further autonomy.

linguistic

The initial linguistic conflict arose between the Federal Government and East Pakistan. The 1962 Constitution of Pakistan designated Urdu and Bengali as the official national languages of the country. In the aftermath of the partition of Pakistan, as outlined in the 1973 Constitution, the three provinces voluntarily embraced Urdu as their provincial language. In the province of Sindh, both Sindhi and Urdu were recognised as provincial languages. Consequently, the matter was effectively resolved within the provisions of the 1973 Constitution. The national language of Pakistan is Urdu, although English serves as its official language.

Province Autonomy

The matter of province autonomy has consistently emerged as a prominent topic within the political sphere of Pakistan. Certain provinces, namely Baluchistan and Sindh, have periodically expressed apprehensions regarding resource allocation, fiscal autonomy, and the centralised structure of governance. The issue of increased provincial autonomy has frequently generated friction between the federal government and provincial administrations.
Creation two provinces West Pakistan and East Pakistan

One Unit

During the pre-1971 era of a unified Pakistan, the issue of provincial autonomy was addressed through the amalgamation of all the historical provinces of West Pakistan into a single province known as West Pakistan. The federation of Pakistan was officially established, comprising two regions known as West Pakistan and East Pakistan. The allocation of resources was determined by ensuring parity between the two provinces, and a quota system was implemented for government employment.

Restoration of Province

In Western Pakistan, there was a resurgence of the nationalistic movement led by the smaller provinces' leadership, which had lost its significance in the newly formed Pakistan. This revival was facilitated by the assistance of Kabul, India, and Communist Russia. The restoration of movement was redirected towards the nationalistic movements of Sindudesh, Paktunistan, and Greater Baluchistan. The lustre of all these movements diminished following the reinstatement of provinces in 1970 and the subsequent establishment of a new province, Baluchistan.

End of strong federation:

The Concurrent Legislative List has been removed from the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with the enactment of the Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment) Act, 2010. The last iteration of the Concurrent List encompassed a total of forty-seven subjects, granting legislative authority to both the Parliament and a Provincial Assembly. The exclusion of the Concurrent Legislative List has conferred upon the provincial assemblies the unique authority to promulgate legislation pertaining to any subject area that is not explicitly listed in the Federal Legislative List.

Allocation of Resources

The allocation of resources, specifically natural resources such as water, gas, and minerals, has intensified conflicts between the federal government and different provinces, leading to heightened tensions. The perception of inequitable distribution of resources has contributed to regional resentments and prompted calls for a more equitable allocation of resources and revenue. The 18th amendment has facilitated the establishment of self-governing provinces, granting them legislative and financial authority. In addition, it is noteworthy that a total of 15 ministries were decentralised from the federal level and then transferred to the provincial authorities.

Political Representation

Political representation in Pakistan has been significantly shaped by the presence of regionalism, which has been further compounded by discrepancies in the distribution of political representation and power-sharing. Certain provinces have raised concerns regarding their lack of representation within the federal government and decision-making mechanisms, hence prompting calls for a political structure that is more inclusive and representational in nature. The individuals residing in each province are effectively incorporated into the national job opportunities by means of a quota system. Each province possesses a portion of the national services and is represented in the National Assembly. Furthermore, it should be noted that the Senate, which serves as the upper house of the Pakistani parliament, ensures equal representation for all federation entities. The formation of the Council of Common Interest is mandated by the 18th amendment, with the purpose of facilitating discussions pertaining to the concerns of the federating units.

Intra province and state regionalism

The provinces must also address the matter of intra-province/state regionalism, which refers to the assertion of self-identity by various segments and communities within a province. Examples include the distinctions between old Sindhis and Muhajirs, the demand for a Saraiki province within Punjab, the differences between Pashtoons and Baluchi in Baluchistan, and the call for the separation of the Pashtoon area. In the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), a resolution was reached with the Hindkoo community through a compromise on the nomenclature of the province. This compromise involved the inclusion of the term "Khyber" to symbolise the various ethnic groups residing inside the province. If the programmes of the other three provinces also aim to uplift ethnic communities other than their own, they may encounter challenges related to national identity.
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