ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN: A training session on the role and importance of 18th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan was conducted at the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Pakistan Country Office by the renowned political scholar and trainer Mr. Jami Chandio on November 10, 2020. The session was attended by the team members of HSF Pakistan including the Resident Representative, Dr. Steffen Kudella.
The training featured a detailed and interactive discussion on the various political and constitutional aspects of the 18th Amendment. Mr. Chandio briefed the participants about the various highlights of pre- and post-independence constitutional history of Pakistan leading up to the passage of the 18th Amendment in 2010. He said:
Pakistan's Constitution of 1973 did a great job devolving power to federating units, but unfortunately its original spirit was diluted by subsequent amendments made during military rules. The 18th Amendment emanated from the Charter of Democracy signed between the two biggest political parties of Pakistan, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Pakistan Peoples Party, and sought to restore the Constitution to its original form.
Mr. Chandio also focused on the significance of the 18th Constitutional Amendment especially in terms of devolution of political, administrative and fiscal powers to the federating units of Pakistan and its impact on the governance structures of Pakistan. Current situation and several challenges impeding the effective implementation of the provisions of the 18th Amendment were also brought to light.
The detailed discussion was followed by a question and answer session where HSF Pakistan team members enthusiastically participated. The participants agreed that further capacity building at all governance levels was needed and that HSF Pakistan would continue to focus on strengthening the federal structures of Pakistan through its multiple projects on good governance.