The Legal Impact of the 18th Amendment on Provincial Autonomy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A Comprehensive Analysis

Abstract

Abstract

The 18th Amendment to Pakistan’s Constitution, passed in 2010, marked a significant shift in the country's governance structure by enhancing provincial autonomy. This paper examines the legal impact of the amendment on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), focusing on key aspects such as executive powers, legislative autonomy, fiscal federalism, and security governance. While the amendment provided KP with greater control over local governance, including the education, health, and security sectors, the province faced challenges such as political instability, limited administrative capacity, and financial constraints. The study also includes a comparative analysis with other provinces and international examples of federal systems to understand how KP’s experience with decentralization compares to other regions. Findings suggest that while KP has made progress in exercising its newfound autonomy, its success depends on improving institutional frameworks, revenue generation, and cooperation with the federal government. The paper concludes with recommendations to strengthen KP’s governance under the 18th Amendment and fully realize its potential.