Pakistan now awaits 28th Constitutional Amendment as demand for devolution grows

Pakistan’s political landscape is abuzz with anticipation over the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment, expected to usher in a new era of administrative restructuring and grassroots empowerment.

Following the approval of the 27th Amendment by both houses of Parliament, attention has now shifted toward the next phase of constitutional reform - one that many hope will bring the long-promised devolution of power closer to reality.

In the latest episode of On My Radar, Kamran Khan said the 27th Amendment has set the stage for a transformative 28th Amendment. According to him, Pakistan’s 250 million citizens are now eagerly awaiting reforms that could establish new provinces or administrative units, ensure the transfer of authority and resources to local levels and constitutionally safeguard the devolution process for effective governance.

Observers believe the 28th Amendment could shift focus from strengthening civil, military, and judicial powers to addressing the everyday challenges of citizens.

Kamran Khan noted that there is growing optimism the amendment will bind provincial governments to distribute financial resources to local governments through a Provincial Finance Commission (PFC), much like the federal government’s obligation under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, which allocates 57.5% of national revenue to the provinces. The proposed changes are also expected to give constitutional protection to the PFC’s revenue-sharing formula.

He further highlighted that, except for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), both civilian and military leadership - including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir - have repeatedly voiced support for devolving powers to the grassroots.

The Punjab Assembly’s recent resolution to grant constitutional protection to local governments’ administrative and financial authority, along with Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah’s confirmation that the 28th Amendment is in progress, reflects this growing intent.

The amendment is reportedly set to address the transfer of key ministries such as Education, Health, and Population Welfare to the federal level while defining the constitutional role of local bodies.

Although clauses concerning devolution and financial transfers to the local level were removed from the final draft of the 27th Amendment due to PPP’s objections, Khan noted that political forces supporting decentralization have gained significant strength since then. He argued that Pakistan’s state institutions now face neither an obstacle nor a justification to delay legislation aimed at distributing power and resources to the grassroots level.

Khan added that the 27th Amendment has already reshaped the balance of power among Parliament, the judiciary, and the establishment by reinforcing the principle of separation of powers.

However, like the 26th Amendment, it failed to address the needs of ordinary citizens. This, he said, has reinforced the perception that further delay in devolving power to the lowest levels of governance - through new administrative units or empowered local bodies - is no longer sustainable.

Khan said the upcoming 28th Amendment will likely determine Pakistan’s political, economic, and administrative survival. He posed key questions that underscore the urgency of reform: Can citizens expect relief and good governance without empowered local governments or new administrative structures? And can decisions made in provincial capitals truly address the diverse needs of every village, district and union council across the country?