Book excerpt: Pakistan, after fifty eight years of existence, was faced with a governance crisis. Certain significant political and economic developments in the international environment were having a profound impact on the country. Pakistan was faced with complex and daunting challenges threatening its stability. These challenges were: regional dynamics after the launch of the 'Global War on Terrorism' by the USA; democratisation, the universal quest for re-inventing government, the apparent triumph of capitalism, and the paradigm shift towards sustainable development. This book presents political, economic, legal and public issues during the reformation era of Pakistan's decentralising government.