Interference of the federation in the now-devolved health sector led to heated debate in the Senate on Wednesday.
Instead of the opposition, the government drew fire from collation partners for violating the clauses of the 18th amendment that deal with the rights and autonomy of provinces.
Senator Zahid Khan of the Awami National Party (ANP) asked why the federal government was running the malaria, tuberculosis, Aids and hepatitis campaigns these days when the health ministry has been devolved to the provinces after the 18th Amendment.
Nazar Gondal replied that the Economic Affairs Division had submitted a summary to the prime minister highlighting concerns shown by donors and international partners to place a federal mechanism to ensure continuity of presently allocated grant for the ongoing programmes and to ensure securing of grants in the future.
He further informed the house that prime minister later approved the national programmes, keeping in view the greater interest of public health and for securing vital support being provided by the international donors, but it was done after considering the views of provincial governments.
This reply from the federal government caused a heated debate between the chair and members of MQM, ANP and PML-N.
Zahid Khan said that there was no consent of provinces in this regard, but even if there was, the federal government should not have initiated these campaigns.
Senator Raza Rabbani also opposed the federal views in this particular matter and said that 18th Amendment does not allow the federation to run the health programmes under the national banner.
Later, members demanded a committee to solve the dispute but Chairman Nayyar Husain Bukhari tried to avoid the idea to constitute the committee and kept insisting that he will do something once the law minister is present in the house.
The senate chairman does not need the advice of the law minister to constitute a committee in this particular case of the health ministry, which has already been devolved, said Senator Raza Rabani.
“According to rule 204 of the Senate procedures, you (the Senate chairman) have the prerogative to constitute a committee on any issue,” he said.
After the refusal from chair to constitute the committee, the members of MQM, ANP and PMLN walked out of the house and refused to take part in the question hour proceedings.
After 15 minutes, Zahid Khan pointed out the incomplete quorum and asked the chairman to adjourn the house but Nayyar Bukahri did not pay heed and wrapping up the question hour in haste, commenced the proceedings and debate over presidential address to both houses of parliament.
At this stage the quorum was pointed out again and then the counting was ordered by the chair.
Earlier, at the beginning of the session, Bukhari had directed the leader of the house Jehangir Badar to ensure the presence of federal ministers in the session and if they were not available, the state minister should attend the session on their behalf.
After two speeches from the members, the house was adjourned till Thursday morning.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2012.
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How can the province make money if the centre keeps doing its job?
It is imperative for the centre to have some say in health related matters in any common market such as Pakistan where there is free movement of people and livestock that can spread diseases from one province to another. There must be a division (if not a ministry) for health coordination amongst the provinces at the centre.