The emergence of Pakistan on the world map, on the basis of an ideology was an unparalleled event of the twentieth century. It is, however, a pity that the man who made this possible could not live long to consolidate the gains of independence and turn Pakistan into one of the greatest states of the world, which he always cherished and aspired for.
However he did give us the vision to go about the task. His slogan of "Unity, Faith and Discipline" and the famous words uttered by him "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" are the pillars on which he wanted to erect the edifice that he envisioned. He was intensely aware of the fact that in a country with distinct cultural entities and regions, the only way Pakistan could move on the path towards its destiny successfully, was an impregnable unity among its people. He was conscious of the fact that building a nation into a vibrant and sustainable entity was much more arduous and thorny than the struggle to win freedom.
He wanted to construct Pakistan as a progressive democratic country, deriving strength and inspiration from the lofty Islamic principles of brotherhood, equality and fraternity of man that form basic points of our religion, culture and civilisation; a country where the federating units enjoyed complete autonomy and acted in unison to strengthen the federation. Pakistan Resolution passed on 23rd March 1940, also unequivocally emphasised the point of making sure that the constitution of Pakistan guaranteed provincial autonomy and the protection of the religious, cultural, economic and political rights of the minorities.
But regrettably the treatise and the testament bequeathed by the Quaid and the leaders of the Pakistan movement failed to find expression in the scheme of things that followed independence. It took almost nine years to frame a constitution that was abrogated by a military dictator only after two years, who promulgated a constitution of his own prescribing Presidential form of government.
Another most devastating blow to the national unity was his unimaginable abolition of the provinces and the formation of one unit that sounded the death knell for the national unity and the provincial autonomy. The step precipitated the sense of deprivation and non-participation among the people of the small provinces and led to the emergence of nationalist movements in Balochistan, Sindh and former East Pakistan besides fanning sectarianism and provincialism. Although the one unit was undone on 1st July 1970 in view of the intense political upheaval in the country, but it was too late in the day as the damage had already been done and the dismemberment of the country could not be stopped.
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, in the aftermath of the Dacca debacle gave the country a constitution with the unanimous support of all the political parties that guaranteed provincial autonomy for the federating units, but unfortunately it could not be implemented due to his pre-occupation with the problems emanating from the dismemberment of the country.
The martial law of 1977 further scuttled the chances of implementation of the provincial autonomy prescribed in the 1973 constitution. The civilian set-ups between 1985 and 1999 also remained oblivious to this important national cause due the intractable political polarisation and politics of vendetta. The martial law of 1999 proved to be the biggest blow to the cause of provincial autonomy.
There are no two opinions about the fact that the challenges that Pakistan is confronted with today, specially armed insurgency in Balochistan, and other fissiparous tendencies like the menace of sectarianism and provincialism, are all a sequel to our inability to address the question of provincial autonomy and too much emphasis on Centralisation; a criminal digression from the vision bequeathed to us by our founding father.
But it is heartening to note that the things have started moving in the right direction. The present PPP-lead coalition government in collaboration with all the political forces represented in the parliament has not only restored the 1973 constitution to its original form by rectifying the constitutional depredations introduced by the dictator but has also given the provincial autonomy to the provinces by abolishing the concurrent list and transferring 17 Ministries and Divisions to the provinces, through Eighteenth Amendment. The phased process of devolution to the provinces was completed on 28th June with the transfer of seven ministries to the provinces in the light of the recommendations of the implementation Commission, which almost coincides with 1st July when the one unit was abolished.
It is for the first time in the history of Pakistan that we have witnessed a radical change in the outlook of the rulers on the issue. The shifting of the emphasis from strong Centre trying to foist its own will on the federating units to strong provinces providing strengthen to the federation, is indeed a much desired and long awaited paradigm shift in managing the sate affairs that fulfils the vision of the Quaid. The NFC Award evolved through consensus is yet another epoch making decision that will go a long way in reinforcing the provincial autonomy. All the political forces represented in the parliament deserve gratitude of the nation for this unprecedented accomplishment with consensus, particularly the leadership of PPP which has shown tremendous perseverance, sagacity and foresight in bringing all the political entities together. The decision of the government to declare 1st July as "Provincial Autonomy Day" is an imaginative move. The granting of autonomy to the provinces is one of the vital sign-posts of our journey towards national cohesion and our cherished destiny. It must be celebrated like other national days every year, to allow us an opportunity as a nation to introspect our past conduct and renew our pledge to stay on course in building Pakistan.