The devolution process may hit a snag as Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) has started pressurising the government not to devolve the ministries bestowed on its members after joining the PPP-led coalition, it is learnt. Well-placed sources revealed that the government was under immense pressure from PML-Q not to devolve the ministries to the provinces at least for another one year while Senator Raza Rabbani, who is chairman of the Implementation Commission on 18th Amendment, is hell-bent to complete the devolution process at all costs.
They claimed that the top PML-Q leadership was busy in talks with the government and it had been assured that ministries headed by its members might not be devolved for a year and half in a bid to save the coalition. A top PML-Q leader on condition of anonymity says that the government stands at a cross road and it has no option but to delay the devolution process of some ministries or it will cause friction between the two coalition partners.
He said that the PML-Q had made clear to the government before joining the coalition that the ministries given to its members must not be devolved as part of 18th constitutional amendment. When contacted Faisal Saleh Hayat of PML-Q, who is also minister for housing, told Business Recorder that talks with government are underway and the issue will be resolved soon.