The Impact of the 18th Amendment on Legislation Regarding Food Safety

Abstract

This article assesses the 18th amendment and its impact on the devolution plan, which
resulted in the devolution of 17 ministries, including the Food and Health Ministry. This
process eliminated the concurrent list and maintained separate provincial and federal
lists, leading to overlapping responsibilities in the food sector between the centre and
provinces. Consequently, both sides enacted their own laws and authorities, causing
confusion among investors and the public regarding the hierarchy of these laws.
Furthermore, this confusion led to a steady decline in the state of the food sector. The
federal government appears to lack direct authority in this domain, while the provinces
have not yet developed the necessary mechanisms and expertise to effectively manage
their responsibilities. Therefore, it is imperative to clarify the respective roles of the
central and provincial governments and assess whether a centralized system, similar to
the Central Body of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan in the drug and
pharmaceutical industry, would have been a more viable option for the food sector in
Pakistan. The article also delves into the genuine challenges facing the food sector in
Pakistan and examines how the 18th Amendment has influenced this situation, both
positively and negatively.