ISLAMABAD: A Senate sub-committee on Tuesday voiced serious concerns over the implementation of constitutional provisions governing provincial representation in federal services and the oversight of public sector enterprises, highlighting potential strains in the country’s federal framework.
The sub-committee of the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution, chaired by Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, criticised what it described as delays and omissions in enforcing the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
Ghumro questioned the government’s commitment to federalism, warning that inconsistent application of constitutional rules has created disparities between provinces and fuelled resentment.
Citing Article 38(g) of the Constitution, he underscored that the federal government is legally obliged to ensure not only equitable provincial representation in federal services but also to address past shortcomings.
Officials briefed the committee on steps taken to improve provincial representation, including the introduction of a special Central Superior Services (CSS) examination to fill vacant positions in provinces such as Balochistan and Sindh.
The members of the sub-committee pressed for clarity on the criteria used to allocate provincial shares in All Pakistan Services, querying whether allocations were based on population or other factors.
The division of Sindh’s representation into urban and rural categories also came under scrutiny.
The sub-committee instructed the Establishment Division to provide, within two weeks, comprehensive details on provincial representation across all federal ministries, divisions, and departments, along with the methodology used to determine existing allocations.
It also directed the division to review past omissions and propose corrective measures in line with constitutional obligations.
The Petroleum Division briefed the sub-committee on the composition of boards of directors for state-owned oil and gas companies, stating that appointments were made under the State-Owned Enterprises Act and included provincial representation.
However, the sub-panel stressed the need for meaningful consultation with provincial governments to ensure both legal validity and constitutional compliance.
The embers of the panel reiterated that the Constitution remains the supreme law of the land and urged the Petroleum Division to institutionalise systematic consultations for future board appointments.
They also called for ex-post reviews of existing boards, with particular attention to Balochistan’s representation.
The sub-committee reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening federal-provincial harmony and ensuring strict adherence to constitutional provisions governing equitable representation and shared governance.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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