Correct Answer:
D. 18th
The 18th Constitutional Amendment, passed in 2010, is widely recognized for restoring parliamentary democracy in Pakistan after the era of General Zia-ul-Haq's martial law. General Zia's 8th Amendment had significantly empowered the President, allowing unilateral dissolution of Parliament and weakening the Prime Minister's role. The 18th Amendment reversed these changes, notably by removing the President's power to dissolve the National Assembly (Article 58(2)(b)) and transferring substantial authority back to the Prime Minister, thereby strengthening the parliamentary system and restoring the original spirit of the 1973 Constitution.
- The 7th Amendment is unrelated to this restoration.
- The 8th Amendment, introduced by Zia, actually institutionalized presidential powers and weakened parliamentary democracy, making it the opposite of a restorative measure.
- The 13th Amendment (1997) was a step towards removing presidential powers but the 18th Amendment was the comprehensive overhaul that fully restored parliamentary supremacy.