IN a country where, for over six decades, the thought process that favours concentration of power at the centre has dominated, devolving responsibilities to the federating units — and even further to the third tier — has not been easy.

The 18th Amendment, passed in 2010, was indeed a landmark piece of legislation which established a more equitable relationship between the provinces and the centre. Yet in the years since the passage of the law, implementation of the devolution process has been slow and there have been several hiccups along the way.

Some observers have even said there are fears of a ‘rollback’ to the pre-2010 order. For example, at a discussion organised by the HRCP in Islamabad on Monday, speakers lamented the fact that ‘forces’ were at work trying to undo the progress made so far.

Also read: ‘18th Amendment faces threat of rollback’

The presence of the National Curriculum Council was cited as an example of “federal encroachment”, while speakers pointed out that the Council of Common Interests was failing to meet regularly. There have also been issues with division of resources and funds between Islamabad and the provinces. It has been pointed out that departments with liabilities have been handed over to the provinces, while the centre is reluctant to let go of profitable institutions.

We must unambiguously say that any moves towards the ‘rollback’ of provincial autonomy will prove disastrous. If anything, the provinces need to be given greater responsibility over their affairs without an overbearing centre watching their every move. Indeed, the state’s structure has been such since independence that the federal bureaucracy may be reluctant to share power with the provinces.

But this attitude must change; while the provinces need to coordinate amongst themselves and with Islamabad, the democratic will as embodied by the 18th Amendment needs to be respected. There are surely capacity issues with the provinces, especially Balochistan and Sindh. But considering these units were only given increased powers in 2010, the centre must work with them to build capacity.

The provinces themselves must also improve their performance. While complaints of federal interference may be genuine, the provincial administrations need to perform much better where good governance, accountability and service delivery are concerned.

However, there is one key area where devolution of power is concerned which has been ignored in equal measure by both the centre and the provinces: elected local governments. In fact, it would not be wrong to say that apart from Balochistan, provincial administrations have proved to be the greatest stumbling blocks standing in the way of elected local bodies.

Demanding the rights of provinces is essential; but so is paving the way through legislation and other administrative measures for an elected third tier of government. Or else, one sort of concentration of power — that by the central administration — will be replaced by the provincial capitals denying sub-units their democratic rights. The process of devolution must continue unhindered, with the ultimate goal being empowered provinces and elected representatives at the district and sub-unit levels.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2014