An irregular CCI

The Council for Common Interests (CCI) is a body meant to increase cooperation between provincial and federal governments and resolve any policy disputes on a number of important matters. However, during years of military rule the CCI became dormant until it was dusted off and reintroduced with additional responsibilities through the 18^th Amendment in 2010. As often happens with government matters in Pakistan, the CCI, too, failed to live up to its potential. A good idea in theory, it was never followed through in the manner described in the Constitution. According to the law, the CCI is meant to meet every 90 days but its last meeting was held on March 18, 2015. The Senate has now taken notice of this, and in its ruling on February 12, the government has been asked to convene a meeting of the CCI in 15 days. Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani has rightly pointed out that policy and supervisory matters, which fall under the purview of the CCI, would cease to have any legal effect if not approved by the body.

The PML-N government, it appears, is not interested. Any semblance of cooperation or democratic decision-making has fallen apart in recent times with important matters being decided without taking parliament’s input into consideration. Decisions on matters with far-reaching consequences for the entire country, such as those related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the privatisation of PIA have been pushed through in an autocratic manner. The PML-N is well known for its high-handedness and disregarding the CCI is in line with its usual approach. However, ignoring the Constitution and the framework of governance is not likely to win it many friends nor is its present approach about to foster inter-provincial harmony. While decision-making without following due process is faster, it is not necessarily constitutional nor is it likely to yield better results. A dictatorial decision-making style ultimately defeats the purpose of having a democratic government. It is hoped that the government will take the Senate ruling into account and the CCI will be given its due importance in the policy-formation process.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2016.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.