Government wants to give further autonomy to provinces: Saifullah

Speakers at a roundtable conference here on Tuesday stressed the need for resolution of issues between provinces and federal government through dialogue and inclusion of suggestions from all stakeholders. The roundtable conference on "Federalism and Provincial Autonomy" was arranged here by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT).
Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Co-ordination Salim Saifullah Khan in his speech said that government wants to give further autonomy to the provinces and therefore has been working on a bill. He informed that there were seventeen items considered by the government relating to autonomy.
"Suggestions of all stakeholders are being taken into consideration, so that complete consensus could be reached on the issue," he said, adding, "however it would take time." He said similar proposals about provincial autonomy were also presented by the MQM, PPPP belonging to Sindh province and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief.
"The ministry backed their proposals as granting provincial autonomy is need of the hour, the minister added. The minister also cited example of China where almost every province is operating its own airlines and enjoys the prerogative to generate income.
He regretted opposition's continuous boycott on provincial autonomy issue. Secretary General PML and Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Senator Syed Mushahid Hussain Syed said there were provisions in 1973 Constitution on Provincial Autonomy issue.
"But unfortunately the previous regimes never gave any heed to this vital issue and made no serious efforts for its implementation," he added. Mushahid stressed the need for a paradigm shift and said these issues would linger on unless certain elements continue with their old mindset. He said that strong provinces would guarantee strong Pakistan and stable democracy. Secretary for Inter Provincial Co-ordination Division Suhail Safdar informed that serious steps were taken to revive CCI, NEC and concurrent list.