Rabbani says...: Rolling back 18th Amend to be disastrous

ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani said on Wednesday that any attempts aimed at rolling back the 18th Amendment would prove disastrous for the federation. And keeping in view the intricate geopolitical situation and internal security environment, the federation would suffer if the centrist mindset continues to create hurdles in the way of smooth implementation of 18th Amendment.

Rabbani expressed these view at the concluding ceremony of Seminar “Model CCI’ debating Federalism” jointly organised by the Senate of Pakistan, Higher Education Commission and Federal Ministry Inter-Provincial Coordination and the Hanns Seidel Foundation at the Parliament House. He said that baseless interpretations were being given on various articles of the Constitution with reference to the control over resources, health and education. However, health and education, as per 18th Amendment, are devolved subjects and a proper mechanism has been evolved for distribution of resources among the Centre and the provinces. He further remarked that 1973 Constitution was a major leap forward in terms of provincial autonomy, dispute resolution and making the provinces to an extent master of their resources.

Unfortunately, he noted, the Centre usurped education and health from provinces which was against the spirit of the Constitution. Rabbani said that during the process of 18th Amendment, it was the education and health sector which resisted the move, and the reason behind the resistance was that there was huge funding involved and there were perks and privileges due to which devolution of the two important sectors faced challenge.

He said that it was pleaded that devolution of the Education Department to the provinces would disintegrate the internal cohesion among provinces as every province would come up with its own curriculum and would prove detrimental to national integration. “I don’t think that the certificate for patriotism has to be issue by Islamabad,” Raza Rabbani stated.

Rabbani observed that Pakistan Study books contain a distorted version of history, and there is no mention of the people who rendered sacrifices for democracy and stood against the tyrannies of the dictators, and nation was being detached from its history. He said that our culture emanates from Indus Valley civilization.

Regarding Council of Common Interest, the Senate chairman said that the constitutional mechanism exists if there is any matter with regard to curriculum, and it has to be brought before CCI besides there is inter provincial coordination committee headed by the Minister of IPC with chief ministers as its members to resolve any issue. He said that political forces present in Parliament when the 18th Amendment was being passed would always be remembered in constitutional history for the role played by them to give the provinces their constitutional rights.

He lauded the initiative and expressed the hope that such interaction would provide more insight into the issues and would create awareness among the youth.

Devolution Committee Chairman Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmad Muhammad Shahi observed that certain forces are active against the 18th Amendment. He apprised that the committee held seminar and discussion on devolution and engaged in creation of awareness; however, resistance is being faced on implementation of the 18th Amendment.

Senate Secretary Amjed Pervez Malik said that this exercise is a great way to educate and apprise youth of constitutional, legal and federal framework that binds the federation together. He said that the Senate of Pakistan is making a constant endeavor to improve parliament--public connectivity through public outreach programme and special focus has been laid on engaging young students to not only study but also contribute to the democratic and parliamentary process through specialised MoUs with leading universities and internship.