Chairman of Senate's Functional Committee on Devolution Process, Senator Mir Kabir Ahmad Muhammad Shahi on Thursday said that democracy and federal form of government are source to strengthen the country and Constitution of Pakistan and protect rights of the provinces within this system.
He was elaborating points of 'Peshawar Declaration' agreed by participants of a Consultative meeting on "Implementation of 18th Constitutional Amendment' arranged by Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) in cooperation with German Foundation Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and Senate's Functional Committee on Devolution Process.
The declaration said that 18th Amendment has not only augmented principles of democratic, parliamentary and federal structure but also expanded the view of participation, joint ownership of natural resources and administration. It is the joint responsibility of federation and federating units to take steps for the implementation of 18th Amendment in letter and spirit. He said that basic and higher education is the right of people under the constitution of Pakistan.
Higher Education Commission laws need to be amended after 18th Constitutional Amendment, and it should be devolved as soon as possible. He said that share of provinces should be decided in funds given to Higher Education Commission. He said that renaming of ministries devolved to provinces is tantamount to usurping the rights of provinces.
Hindrance in transferring assets of devolved ministries to provinces is regrettable. 8th National Finance Commission Award should be announced and federation should strengthen role of provinces under 18th Amendment. The meeting among others was attended by Senator Rubina Khalid, Senator Usman Kakar, Senator Liaqat Taraqai, Senator Tahir Aleem Mashadi, Senator Taj Haider, Senator Ilyas Bilour, Senator Mohsin Aziz, Senator Jan Kenneth William and Deputy Speaker Mehr Taj Roghani.
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