The 18th Constitutional Amendment is one of the most significant changes in Pakistan’s constitutional history. It was passed by the National Assembly on 8 April 2010 and became law on 19 April 2010 under the government of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and President Asif Ali Zardari.

The amendment reversed the centralization of powers introduced by previous military regimes, especially under General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervez Musharraf. It restored the parliamentary nature of the Constitution by reducing the powers of the President, who had previously been able to dissolve the National Assembly unilaterally under Article 58(2)(b).

Key features include:

  • Removal of Article 58(2)(b)

  • Strengthening of the Prime Minister’s powers

  • Devolution of powers to provinces under Schedule IV

  • Increase in the number of fundamental rights

  • Change in the name of NWFP to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

  • Formation of a Judicial Commission for appointment of judges

  • Restoration of the true spirit of the 1973 Constitution

The 18th Amendment is viewed as a landmark in promoting provincial autonomy, democracy, and parliamentary supremacy. However, it also sparked debates over the capacity of provinces to manage devolved responsibilities effectively.

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