Senate adopts motion to constitute committee: Special Body to examine devolution process

NAVEED BUTT 

ISLAMABAD: The Upper House of the Parliament on Thursday decided to constitute a Special Committee to examine various steps taken by federal government for competition of devolution process under 18th Constitutional Amendment and to look into the procedural difficulties hindering the process.     

The Senate took this decision by adopting a motion unanimously under Rule 204 of Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business. The motion was moved by Senator Mian Raza Rabbani in the House.

Rabbani said that the Committee, after constitution, would be given three-month time to submit its comprehensive report on the devolution process. He said that the Committee would check and examine various steps taken by the federal government for completing the devolution process. 

About Implementation Commission, which was constituted for smooth transfer of powers from center to the provinces after the passage of 18th Constitutional Amendment, Rabbani said the commission seized to function last year and there was no parliamentary oversight to ensure devolution of powers to the provinces. He said that strong vested interests, who were against the process, were hindering the devolution process to reach its logical end.

Under 18th Constitutional Amendment, the Commission was given one year (till June 30, 2011) for smooth devolution of almost 17 ministries to the provinces.

Rabbani said, "There are some departments where huge sums of money is involved and I can brief the chair in the chamber if needed. International donors are also against the devolution process."

He said the PPP leadership was committed to provincial autonomy and Pakistan should not set aside its constitutional obligations for donors.

Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain fully supported the motion and said that the Committee should thoroughly examine the procedural issues hindering devolution process.      Chairman Senate Nayyar Hussain Bokhari said that the composition of the Committee would be decided later after consultation with Leader of House and Leader of Opposition, besides defining its Terms of Reference.

Opposition Leader in the Senate Ishaq Dar presented a letter written by Principal Secretary on October 4, 2011 narrating the details as to why the vertical programmes were retained by the Federation on the pretext of safeguarding vital support being provided by international partner agencies after considering the viewpoint of the provincial governments.

He said that the matter relating to vertical programmes should be settled by the federal government by sitting with all stockholders. He said that the concerned ministers should be present in the House to explain the issues regarding the devolution process.

Senator Hasil Bazenjo while speaking on the issue said that provincial authorities of Balochistan had informed him that they were not consulted on retention of these vertical programmes by the federal government.

While responding to the opposition members, Minister for Law and Justice Farooq H. Naek said the Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination would be in better position to explain as to why the vertical programmes were retained by Federation despite their devolution under the 18th Constitutional Amendment.

Earlier, Senator Zahid Khan of Awami National Party (ANP) placed a proposal for constitution of a Special Committee to resolve the issue of devolution process. He said there was a need to formulate modalities for ensuring devolution of powers from center to the provinces.

Farooq H. Naek said that the subject was under the purview of the provinces but as per Article 147 of the Constitution, any province could entrust its powers to the federal government but the same would have to be approved by the respective assemblies within 60 days.