Senate body split over Tourism ministry devolution: PIA told to improve food quality

As the 18th Constitutional Amendment has already been unanimously passed by the Parliament under which some ministries have been devolved to the provinces, the Senate Standing Committee on Culture and Tourism is divided over the transfer of the ministry to the federating units in the second phase.
The panel, which met with Nelofar Bakhtiar in the chair at the Parliament House on Saturday, was divided over the devolution of the ministry to the provinces, as the chairperson, who represents Pakistan Muslim League-Q, said that in her observation the 18th Constitutional Amendment was passed for serving the interests of the respective political parties, and added that it would divide the whole nation.
However, Senator Pervaiz Rashid of PML-N, who is also spokesman of the Punjab government, strongly contradicted the remarks of the chairperson, and suggested to her not to comment on the 18th amendment after it has been passed unanimously by the Parliament with due representation of all political parties. He said that the 18th Amendment was passed in the interests of Pakistan. However, the chairperson disagreed with him, saying that "as a nation we are not ready for devolution, as the provinces have no planning or infrastructure to take up the subjects of culture and tourism".
Pervez, however, opined that the debate should have been undertaken prior to the passage of 18th amendment, and added that the provinces were quite capable of looking after their own culture and tourism departments.
Committee members including Senators Kazim Khan and Salahuddin Dogar along with the chairperson were of the view that in the upcoming meeting with chairman of the Implementation Commission on 18th Amendment, Raza Rabbani, a recommendation should be made for exempting some departments of Culture and Tourism from devolution as both culture and tourism represent identity of Pakistan, which cannot be divided.
They also recommended that Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) should not be devolved to the provinces. The chairperson also recommended that Malam Jabba resort should not be wound up as it was an international ski resort and a major tourist spot of the country.
Earlier, Secretary, Tourism, informed the committee that in the second phase the subject of tourism would be devolved to the provinces. He said the ministry has extended two proposals to the Implementation Commission including one to keep the PTDC with the Centre, with additional powers to monitor Department of Tourist Services as technically it is not a regulatory authority and is exempted from devolution.
The chairperson informed the committee that she had talked to Rabbani about not devolving some departments of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and soon she would meet him (Rabbani) to discuss the matter. She observed that that tourism relating to mountaineering would suffer drastically due to devolution of the ministry.
The committee also took up the issue relating to PIA and Foreign Airlines Flight Entertainment Programmes/Meals served. The panel was of the view that PIA's standard and quality of entertainment programmes and the food served on flights was in very pathetic condition.
The Committee directed PIA to bring about improvement in its systems including its services regarding delay in flights and provision of food. The committee was informed by PIA's officials of Food Services that a new system would come into effect by May, 2011 as a result of new agreement being signed with the suppliers. The committee observed that the system for food checking and its provision exists, but it needs to be reinforced.
The committee also highly recommended that all foreign airlines operating in Pakistan should run Pakistan's tourism documentaries. Regarding Flashman Hotel, Secretary, Tourism informed the committee that status quo has been maintained, and added that the ministry did not receive any information regarding privatisation of the hotel.