Devolution is essential for good government and democratic trust: Gilani

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Acting President and Senate Chairman, emphasized on Wednesday that devolution was not a danger to national unity but rather one of its best defenses, emphasizing that a self-assured federation empowered its constituent units while staying bound by common constitutional principles.

Acting President Gilani spoke at the Islamabad Devolution Summit’s last session and stated that exercising authority closer to the people increased democratic participation, promptly resolved complaints, and bolstered confidence in democratic institutions.

He said that the two-day event brought together legislators, constitutional specialists, public administrators, economists, and civil society members to discuss one of the most important issues facing Pakistan in a thoughtful and organized manner.

He described the Senate as a custodian of constitutional balance and a forum for communication among federating units, reiterating the Senate’s commitment to achieving cooperative federalism, provincial equity, and effective devolution.

As he thought back on Pakistan’s constitutional development, the acting president recalled how important devolution had been to his political career, especially when he was prime minister and the 18th Constitutional Amendment was passed by uncommon political agreement. He claimed that by reinstating parliamentary dominance, bolstering province autonomy, and firmly establishing decentralization in the constitution, the amendment essentially rebalanced the federation.