The Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment and the Baloch National Question in Pakistan.

The article focuses on Pakistan's Eighteenth Amendment, passed in 2010, which aimed to restructure the constitutional framework to address federal-provincial tensions and ethno-regional grievances, particularly in Balochistan. While the amendment devolved powers to provinces, enhanced fiscal federalism, and transferred nominal control over natural resources, its implementation in Balochistan fell short, as critical issues such as provincial control over security agencies, resource management (including Gwadar Port), and political representation remained unresolved. The amendment did not significantly alleviate the ongoing insurgency or human rights abuses in Balochistan, partly due to continued federal dominance and inadequate engagement with key stakeholders, including separatist groups. The article concludes that meaningful progress in Balochistan requires demilitarization, genuine provincial autonomy, civilian oversight of security forces, and a redefined centre–province relationship beyond the amendment's provisions.