18th amendment.

Byline: Faizan Raza Buriro - Larkana

PROVINCIAL autonomy was the cornerstone of the Pakistan movement. The Pakistan Resolution clearly indicates that Pakistan was to be a country where the provinces were sovereign and autonomous.

The recent loud thinking by the federal government on 're-considering' and 'reviewing' the 18th amendment shows it wants to change it or do away with it altogether. However, before taking a decision, the government should view the 18th amendment in its historic background.

Provinces or states are the pillars of a strong federation, and unless the provinces function efficiently, the federation is bound to remain weak.

The guiding principle of Pakistan was to be provincial autonomy and this was there in the Lahore Resolution in 1940 and the resolution passed by the Sindh Assembly demanding Pakistan.

The manner in which federal government ministers and some supporters are criticising the 18th amendment, covertly and overtly, is similar to Indian Congress opposing the Pakistan movement and denying autonomy...