Muhammad Ali Bohyo Assignment by Mr.

Zahid Ali Memon

Federalism
Nations are not truly federal unless both national and sub national governments exercise separate and autonomous authority, both elect their own officials, and both tax their own citizens for the provision of public services -T.R.Dye

The combination of Federalism and Republicanism which formed the substance of the system, did not constitute a progressive and formative political principle, but it pointed in the direction of a constructive formula. -Herbert Croly

Public less aware about policy

"I believe that if the people of this Nation fully understood what Congress has done to them in the last 49 years, they would move on Washington ; they would not wait for an election......It all adds up to a preconceived plan to destroy the economic and social independence of the United States" -George W. Malon, U.S. Senator (Nevada) speaking before Congress in 1957.

USA- a successful Federal republic

There are more than 87000 separate governments in

the United states, more than 60,000 of those have power to levy their own taxes. There are states, counties, municipalities, school districts. However only the national govt. and states are recognized in the U.S constitution; all local governments are subdivisions of states. States may create alter or abolish these governments by amending state laws.

Problems and prospects of federalism in Pakistan

Pakistani society
Every faction demands its due share in power structure

No proper system that apportions power between the federating

units and the center USA, Australia, and Canada , the judiciary has played the role of legitimizer and balance keeper Federalism, help in eliminating economic and social-inequalities If people not given equal opportunity in the process of governess and overall economic production, their grievances accumulate and become explosive The fact is constitutional commitment to federalism has never been true in letter and spirit Labeled as federal but remained unitary in character

 Centralism Center always remained stronger as compared to the provinces Quaid-e-azam and liaquat ali could not live longer to give strength to the basic institutions necessary for the functioning of the federal system Later leadership relied heavily upon the bureaucracy and military Martial Law era (1958-1971) concentrated all powers in the center, which give birth to antipathy and distrust Judiciary was never allowed to work independently

 Multi-party Problem
Multiparty has failed to solve national problems Any party become successful become in getting reigns of country, it

tried to implement such policies as, were never acceptable to other parties Absence of a viable national political party with roots in all the provinces, gave birth to many regional parties, which encouraged separatist trends and even regional movements Every ruler tried to maintain himself ignoring all constitutional provisions and depriving the federating units of their legitimate share in power structure Hence lack of spirit of federalism in provinces which are being ruled by the agents of the central government, in one way or other

Reforms
Coordination between parties is essential for viable system

of government They should bring together sectional interests, overcome geographical distances Things cannot work if they take contradictory stands The success of federal system in Pakistan depends on the extent to which parliamentary system of government can function smoothly in the provinces and center Neglecting social diversities can create problems of secessionist threat and foreign interference, the answer lies in giving autonomy to the provinces and decentralization

 Legislative
Demarcation in the constitution, should be strictly observed by

both the center and provinces, no encroachment Concurrent list should be abolished and provinces should be allowed to formulate policies in accordance with their requirements of development without any fear of center

Bureaucracy
Center appoints officials of the All Pakistan Administrative Services

to serve there They usually take care of the centers interests and ignore provincial priorities Provinces cannot supply uniformly and adequate quota of such talent at the local/provincial level

 Finances
The distribution of revenues should be made by an impartial body

which should have more representation of the provinces NFC before devising a formula for the distribution of revenues, must take into account the requirements, level of development and productive capacity of each province

Judiciary
Can create harmony between center and provinces provided its

completely independent and separate from executive Constitutional provisions are only skeleton, what provides flesh and blood is the way they are understood and implemented

Conclusion
Federalism is not just a matter of division and

coordination/cooperation of power between two or several layers of government, it is a value system and a WAY OF LIFE Until and unless federalism becomes a way of life, the federalization of the government structure will lack a sound and solid base

References
Aaron, wildavasky,(ed), Federalism in perspective,

Boston:Little Brown, 1967 Ahmed, Jamilud-Din, (ed), Speeches and writings of Mr, Jinnah, Lahore: Sheikh Muhammad Ashraf, 1968 Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Karachi:East & West Publishing Co. 1974 Shah, Syed Mujawar Hussain,(Ed) NIPS(Quaid-i-azam chair) Monograph serries-1 1994