Islamabad, August 10, 2021 (PPI-OT):A meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution was held under the chairmanship of Senator Mushtaq Ahmed at the Parliament House. The meeting of the Functional Committee reviewed the issue of delay in the establishment of an independent Secretariat of the Council of Common Interest from the Cabinet Division, in addition discussion on the 18th Amendment constitutional scheme and its implementation so far was also considered.
Chairman Committee Senator Mushtaq Ahmed said that this is the first meeting of the functional committee. Welcoming all the members, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed said that the Parliament’s committees are of utmost importance and the members of the committees work together for the development and prosperity of the country and the nation beyond political affiliations.
He said that the 18th Amendment was a huge landmark and due to it 17 departments / ministries were devolved, a briefing was sought from the Cabinet Division to know that how much devolution scheme has been implemented and how much is left and what are the issues in this regard. However, the Cabinet Division wrote in the letter that the issue does not fall in our domain, on which I wrote a letter about the scope of the committee but no reply, has been received as yet
The Joint Secretary Cabinet Division informed the Functional Committee that on June 30, 2011, 17 Ministries were devolved and 3 notices were also issued in this regard and an implementation commission was set up under Ministry of Inter-Provincial coordination to liaison and overs meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution was held under the chairmanship of Senator Mushtaq Ahmed at the Parliament House.
The meeting of the Functional Committee reviewed the issue of delay in the establishment of an independent Secretariat of the Council of Common Interest from the Cabinet Division, in addition discussion on the 18th Amendment constitutional scheme and its implementation so far was also considered.
Chairman Committee Senator Mushtaq Ahmed said that this is the first meeting of the functional committee. Welcoming all the members, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed said that the Parliament’s committees are of utmost importance and the members of the committees work together for the development and prosperity of the country and the nation beyond political affiliations.
He said that the 18th Amendment was a huge landmark and due to it 17 departments / ministries were devolved, a briefing was sought from the Cabinet Division to know that how much devolution scheme has been implemented and how much is left and what are the issues in this regard. However, the Cabinet Division wrote in the letter that the issue does not fall in our domain, on which I wrote a letter about the scope of the committee but no reply, has been received as yet
The Joint Secretary Cabinet Division informed the Functional Committee that on June 30, 2011, 17 Ministries were devolved and 3 notices were also issued in this regard and an implementation commission was set up under Ministry of Inter-Provincial coordination to liaison and oversee the devolution process.
It is not in the mandate of the Cabinet Division to look into the process of devolution any further, he added. Senator Musaddiq Malik commented that all the Ministries are subordinate to the Cabinet Division and the Cabinet Division can summon anyone and get a briefing on issues. Senator Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry said that the Cabinet Division officials should be given a chance to come prepared on the point of argument
Chairman Committee Senator Mushtaq Ahmed said that in the next meeting, give a detailed briefing to the committee regarding the 18th constitutional amendment scheme, its reasons, its effects, its role in the provinces and the centre and the issues faced in this regard.
Senator Taj Haider said that the establishment of an independent Secretariat of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) has been a major issue. He repeatedly asked the federation to provide land for the secretariat.
‘I am ready to get the budget from Sindh province for setting up the secretariat but now I am happy to know that space has been provided, a floor has been provided” senator Taj Haider commented. He further added that there are still problems in the organizational structure and a date shall be fixed for its establishment and set up. The IPC Secretary told the committee that the organizational structure was passed with the approval of all the members.
The decision regarding the establishment of the Secretariat has been taken and implementation is pending. He said that a letter has also been written to the Finance Secretary for the posts. The budget will be provided by the Ministry of Finance and Establishment Division will provide staff. Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan said that the 18th Amendment scheme was approved by all political parties after detailed consultation and implementation should be ensured.
The Chairman Committee said that the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination had written a letter on the briefing regarding the establishment of CCI that the Chairman Committee is a member of the IPC Committee and has already received a briefing in this regard therefore no further briefing is required.
The members of the committee expressed their displeasure and said that the members of the committee have the right to get briefing from the concerned. The members of the committee sought explanation the basis on which the IPC wrote that letter. The Secretary IPC said that the letter was not for any wrong purpose but just to avoid duplication. The members of the committee can seek briefing at any time he further added.
In today’s meeting of the functional committee, Deputy Chairman Senate, Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Senators Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Musaddiq Masood Malik, Nuzhat Sadiq, Taj Haider, Haji Hidayatullah Khan and Muhammad Akram besides Secretary IPC, Additional Secretary IPC, Additional Secretary Establishment Division, Joint Secretary Cabinet Division and other senior officials attended the devolution process.
It is not in the mandate of the Cabinet Division to look into the process of devolution any further, he added. Senator Musaddiq Malik commented that all the Ministries are subordinate to the Cabinet Division and the Cabinet Division can summon anyone and get a briefing on issues. Senator Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry said that the Cabinet Division officials should be given a chance to come prepared on the point of argument
Chairman Committee Senator Mushtaq Ahmed said that in the next meeting, give a detailed briefing to the committee regarding the 18th constitutional amendment scheme, its reasons, its effects, its role in the provinces and the centre and the issues faced in this regard.
Senator Taj Haider said that the establishment of an independent Secretariat of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) has been a major issue. He repeatedly asked the federation to provide land for the secretariat. ‘I am ready to get the budget from Sindh province for setting up the secretariat but now I am happy to know that space has been provided, a floor has been provided” senator Taj Haider commented. He further added that there are still problems in the organizational structure and a date shall be fixed for its establishment and set up.
The IPC Secretary told the committee that the organizational structure was passed with the approval of all the members. The decision regarding the establishment of the Secretariat has been taken and implementation is pending. He said that a letter has also been written to the Finance Secretary for the posts. The budget will be provided by the Ministry of Finance and Establishment Division will provide staff. Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan said that the 18th Amendment scheme was approved by all political parties after detailed consultation and implementation should be ensured.
The Chairman Committee said that the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination had written a letter on the briefing regarding the establishment of CCI that the Chairman Committee is a member of the IPC Committee and has already received a briefing in this regard therefore no further briefing is required. The members of the committee expressed their displeasure and said that the members of the committee have the right to get briefing from the concerned. The members of the committee sought explanation the basis on which the IPC wrote that letter. The Secretary IPC said that the letter was not for any wrong purpose but just to avoid duplication. The members of the committee can seek briefing at any time he further added.
In today’s meeting of the functional committee, Deputy Chairman Senate, Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Senators Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Musaddiq Masood Malik, Nuzhat Sadiq, Taj Haider, Haji Hidayatullah Khan and Muhammad Akram besides Secretary IPC, Additional Secretary IPC, Additional Secretary Establishment Division, Joint Secretary Cabinet Division and other senior officials attended.
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