Differences Between the Eighth and Eighteenth Amendments to the Constitution of Pakistan

Eighth and Eighteenth Amendments to the Constitution of Pakistan, focusing on their differences:

### Eighth Amendment (Pakistan)
**Text:** "The Eighth Amendment Act, 1985, made several significant changes to the Constitution of Pakistan, particularly affecting the balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister."

**Description:** The Eighth Amendment, enacted in 1985, was a major constitutional reform in Pakistan that increased the powers of the President, giving them the authority to dissolve the National Assembly and dismiss the Prime Minister. It also introduced changes to the procedure for amending the Constitution. This amendment aimed to strengthen the President’s role in the government and provide a check on the power of the Prime Minister. However, it was later criticized for concentrating too much power in the hands of the President and was eventually partially repealed by the Thirteenth Amendment in 1997, which sought to restore parliamentary democracy and reduce presidential powers.

### Eighteenth Amendment (Pakistan)
**Text:** "The Eighteenth Amendment Act, 2010, introduced significant changes to the Constitution, focusing on decentralization, federalism, and the balance of power between different branches of government."

**Description:** The Eighteenth Amendment, passed in 2010, was a landmark reform aimed at decentralizing power and enhancing federalism in Pakistan. It significantly reduced the powers of the President, shifting more authority back to the Prime Minister and the parliament. The amendment also enhanced provincial autonomy, giving provinces greater control over their resources and governance. It abolished the controversial powers of the President to dissolve the National Assembly and make amendments to the Constitution without parliamentary consent. The Eighteenth Amendment aimed to address political imbalances and promote a more equitable federal structure.

### Key Differences
1. **Focus and Impact:**
- **Eighth Amendment:** Focused on enhancing presidential powers and altering the balance between the executive and legislative branches.
- **Eighteenth Amendment:** Focused on decentralization, reducing presidential powers, and strengthening provincial autonomy.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Eighth Amendment:** Implemented in 1985 to strengthen presidential authority, which was later criticized and partly repealed.
- **Eighteenth Amendment:** Implemented in 2010 to restore parliamentary democracy and enhance provincial self-governance.

3. **Scope:**
- **Eighth Amendment:** Aimed at modifying the balance of power within the federal structure by increasing presidential control.
- **Eighteenth Amendment:** Aimed at decentralizing power and increasing provincial autonomy, significantly reforming the balance of power.

These amendments reflect different periods and priorities in Pakistan’s political history, highlighting the evolving nature of its constitutional framework.