Key Takeaways
- The Senate Functional Committee on Devolution questioned the re-establishment of federal ministries dealing with devolved subjects.
- A sub-committee was formed to examine alleged violations of constitutional notifications issued in 2010 and 2011.
- Senators directed the Cabinet Division to cancel ministries related to ICT matters.
The Senate Functional Committee on Devolution has raised serious concerns over the re-creation of federal ministries dealing with subjects devolved to provincial governments under the 18th Constitutional Amendment. The meeting, chaired by Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, was convened at Parliament House and included Senators Poonjo Bheel and Jan Muhammad Buledi.
Senator Ghumro highlighted that the first notification devolving ministries was issued on December 2, 2010, followed by additional notifications in April 15, 2011, and June 29, 2011. These notifications transferred 17 ministries dealing with concurrent and provincial subjects to the provinces. However, he noted that federal ministries/divisions continued to function on devolved subjects after June 30, 2011.
The senator stated, 'The re-creation of ministries after June 30, 2011, dealing with devolved subjects amounted to a violation of the Constitution.' He cited education, health, national food security, culture, climate change, social initiatives, housing, EOBI, the Evacuee Trust and the collection of Zakat and Ushr as examples where federal ministries continued to operate despite constitutional provisions.
The committee has constituted a sub-committee to examine devolution matters, including violations of the 2010 and 2011 notifications issued on the recommendations of the Implementation Commission under Article 270AA. The senator directed the Cabinet Division to cancel the creation of ministries related to ICT matters and submit a report.
Senator Bheel stated that these ministries should be abolished as the matter had been settled by the Implementation Commission. Senator Buledi emphasized the need to review the functioning of the Commission on Coordination and Inter-Services (CCI), describing it as 'dysfunctional.'
The committee directed the Establishment Division to refrain from making appointments in devolved subjects and submit a compliance report within 15 days, along with details of appointments in all grades. It also sought information on payments made to provinces from oil and gas revenues over the past 16 years, noting that provinces were not receiving their due share.
Furthermore, the committee directed the Establishment Division to provide a complete list of federal secretaries, including details of their tenures. The overall aim is to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions and to reduce unnecessary financial burdens on the federal government during times of austerity measures.
'The re-creation of ministries after June 30, 2011, dealing with devolved subjects amounted to a violation of the Constitution.'
Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, Chairman, Senate Functional Committee on Devolution
'These ministries should be abolished as the matter had been settled by the Implementation Commission.'
Senator Poonjo Bheel, Member, Senate Functional Committee on Devolution
