Devolution not carried out in true spirit; provinces grumble

Federal govt devolved powers on paper but formed ministries with other names

Islamabad

The Senate’s functional committee on devolution on Wednesday noted with deep concern the federation’s involvement in subjects devolved (to provinces) by forming ministries but with changed name, calling it encroachments upon provincial autonomy.

The National Party’s Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo chaired the committee’s meeting here at the Parliament House to deliberate upon various aspects of devolution, carried out under the 18th Constitutional Amendment and the recommendations of the Implementation Commission.

The committee was informed that as a result of devolution, 17 federal ministries were abolished. However, the committee noted that despite the abolition of these ministries the federation was still looking after the devolved subjects by forming ministries with changed names. 

Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi said that the committee needed to identify the entities that were consciously blocking the implementation of 18th Amendment in true spirit. 

Senator Usman Khan Kakar of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) agreed with Mashhadi’s observation and said that the provinces too had failed to do the required legislation, which was another reason in the delay of implementation of devolution. 

On this, Senator Bizenjo said that the continuation of the federation looking after subjects devolved under 18th Amendment was an encroachment upon provincial autonomy, which should be stopped at once. 

The committee asked the secretary Cabinet Division to brief the committee regarding the devolution process implemented so far and the reasons causing delay in its implementation. 

The committee was attended by Senator Kamil Ali Agha of PML-Q, Senator Tahir Mashhadi, ANP’s Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour, Senator Taj Haider of PPP, Senator Usman Khan Kakar and Senator Chaudhry Tanvir Khan of PML-N. 

Meanwhile, the Senate special committee recommended close coordination between the federal and provincial government to address Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s 24 demands. 

The special committee on the twenty-four demands made by the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, asked the federal and provincial government to sit together more frequently to address the demands of the province submitted to the Senate by the Chief Minister of the province Pervaiz Khattak.

The committee met here under the chairmanship of Senator Muzaffar Hussain Shah of PML-F here at the Parliament House.

Regarding the demand number seven of payment of windfall levy on oil and gas to the provinces in terms of petroleum policy, 2012, the federal government was asked to give the Law Division’s brief to the provincial government, to which the latter will submit a reply on Thursday.

The Federal Petroleum and Natural Resources Ministry was asked to hold a meeting with the provincial department to bridge the gap so as to endeavour to find common ground of agreement. Both were asked to inform the secretary of the committee about the agreed areas of understanding as well the grey areas where no agreement was reached.

Regarding demand number 11 on removal of moratorium on new gas connections and load extensions for industries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa generally and gas producing districts (Karak, Kohat & Hangu) in particular, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources was asked to give in writing the number of applications received for gas connections and the number of connections given.  

On demand number 24 relating to extra land available: railway track for mass transit system, federal secretary railways told the committee that the land has to be used for Peshawar, Jalalabad and Peshawar Lahore routes as part of CPEC and cannot be given to KP government. 

The KP government, however, said that the track demanded is not in total use and parts of it are almost abandoned. The committee asked federal government to share the feasibility reports with KP government.

Demands relating to Ministry of Water and Power were termed to be almost resolved with the exception of payment of money by the end of this financial year and receipt of PC-1s of some power related projects. 

The committee sought written replies the federal ministry stating the same. The committee also asked the KP planning department to give its report relating to demands and act on the committee’s directions expeditiously.