Islamabad, January 14, 2026: Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday emphasized that devolution must be understood and implemented as a constitutional system supported by law, fiscal resources, and capable institutions, rather than being treated as a political slogan. He underlined the Senate’s constitutional responsibility to safeguard provincial rights, preserve the federal balance, and ensure cooperative federalism as envisioned in the Constitution.
He was speaking as the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of the Devolution Summit 2026. Reaffirming Pakistan’s constitutional commitment to durable, functional, and citizen-centred devolution, the Chairman Senate stressed that decentralisation is a constitutional obligation, not a political choice.
Welcoming the participants, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani appreciated Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Speaker of the Punjab Provincial Assembly, and Ahmad Iqbal Chaudhry, Convener of the Punjab Local Government Caucus, for convening the Summit. He noted that the two-day forum brought together parliamentarians, constitutional experts, public administrators, economists, and civil society representatives for structured and substantive deliberations on strengthening devolution in Pakistan.
Recalling his tenure as Prime Minister, the Chairman Senate described the Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment as a landmark achievement that restored parliamentary supremacy, strengthened provincial autonomy, and constitutionally entrenched decentralisation. He said the abolition of the Concurrent Legislative List and the transfer of key subjects—including education, health, agriculture, labour, and social welfare—to the provinces fundamentally rebalanced the federation. He also recalled the phased transfer of 17 federal ministries and the observance of July 1, 2011, as Provincial Autonomy Day, symbolising the transition towards constitutionally grounded shared governance.
He highlighted the role of the Implementation Commission constituted under Article 270AA, which supervised and coordinated the transfer of subjects and institutions from the federation to the provinces. He observed that the Commission’s work demonstrated that devolution is a continuous constitutional process requiring sustained political ownership, administrative readiness, and effective intergovernmental cooperation.
Emphasising the fiscal dimension of devolution, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani termed the Seventh National Finance Commission (NFC) Award an essential complement to the Eighteenth Amendment. By revising vertical and horizontal resource distribution and increasing the provincial share in federal revenues, the Award aligned responsibilities with resources—an enduring pillar of effective federalism.
Referring to the Summit’s deliberations, the Chairman Senate observed that devolution in Pakistan has often remained cyclical rather than durable. He cautioned against any dilution or reversal of constitutionally mandated decentralisation and stressed the need for constitutional fidelity, continuity, and respect for institutional boundaries. In this context, he highlighted the establishment of the Senate Committee on Devolution, tasked with overseeing post-Eighteenth Amendment implementation, identifying legal and institutional bottlenecks, and engaging federal and provincial governments to uphold constitutional balance.
Addressing fiscal challenges, he pointed to persistent weaknesses where financial resources do not consistently follow devolved functions. He underscored the need for predictable, rule-based fiscal arrangements, stronger intergovernmental coordination, and enhanced financial authority at the sub-provincial level to improve accountability and service delivery.
On administrative reforms, the Chairman Senate noted the mismatch between Pakistan’s three-tier constitutional structure and a bureaucracy designed for a centralised state. He stressed that civil service structures, incentives, and career pathways must be aligned with decentralised governance while ensuring administrative coherence and accountability.
Highlighting the importance of grassroots democracy, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said local governments represent the most visible and immediate expression of the state. He called for strengthening local government institutions, ensuring regular local elections, and clearly defining their powers and financial resources to fulfil the constitutional promise of devolution.
The Chairman Senate welcomed the Islamabad Devolution Summit Charter, describing it as a practical roadmap that translates debate into constitutional, fiscal, and administrative principles. He stressed that its real value lies in sustained advocacy and implementation through legislative and executive action.
Reaffirming the Senate’s role, he said the Upper House would continue to serve as a forum for dialogue among federating units, a guardian of constitutional balance, and a catalyst for reforms that bring governance closer to the people. He emphasized that devolution strengthens national cohesion, deepens democratic participation, addresses grievances at an early stage, and builds public trust in state institutions.
In his concluding remarks, the Chairman Senate thanked the organisers, participants, and experts for the successful conduct of the Summit and expressed hope that the Islamabad Devolution Charter would remain a living document guiding future policy and legislation in the national interest.
