After CCI meeting: Govt amenable to Sindh, K-P demands to ease row

Provinces ruled by PPP, PTI have called for addressing concerns on CPEC

ISLAMABAD: In an apparent bid to defuse the ongoing tension with major opposition groups, the PML-N-led federal government is considering accepting demands made by the governments of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Sindh – ruled by PTI and PPP respectively – at the latest meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

“The move has political dimensions,” a source in the PML-N told The Express Tribune. “Regardless of the practicality of the decision, it is ‘timely’ given the gravity of situation,” he added.



The federal government, however, does not seem in a mood to politically engage the PTI and the PPP in the backdrop of its ongoing tiff with them on Panama Papers’ scandal and the PPP’s four demands.

“Accepting provinces’ demands from a constitutional platform (CCI) is one thing and political give-and-take between political parties is another thing, altogether,” he added.

In the CCI meeting on Friday, K-P and Sindh strongly pressed for their demands including their reservations on the government lack of focus on the western route in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and provision of pending funds payable to provinces by the Centre.

K-P Chief Minister Pervez Khattak took up the issue of over Rs300 billion payable by the Centre to K-P since last year under different heads. He also raised the issue of Afghan refugees’ repatriation and delay in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) reforms implementation. Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah asked the Centre for releasing over Rs150 billion, payable to Sindh under different heads.

Immediately after the CCI meeting, the PM held a meeting with members of his cabinet including Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to exchange views on the provinces’ demands. “It was decided that the issues necessitated by the urgency of the situation be responded,” a source shared.



In this connection, the top ruling functionaries decided to prioritise funds allocation to K-P and Sindh rather than the Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, regions where the PML-N is in power and to which significant chunks of funds have already been provided.

In the wake of severe funds shortage the Centre is grappling with, it has been decided to pay the pending dues to provinces in small installments, the sources said.

“They (provinces) have informed us that several developmental and even welfare projects are stalled due to non-payment of dues by the Centre. We had to extend assurances to them that funds would be issued on priority,” a federal minister privy to the CCI meeting said on the condition of anonymity.

Apart from funding, K-P and Sindh’s reservations about the CPEC’s western route are also being looked into. “The Finance Ministry, the Planning Commission and related federal authorities are instructed to reach out to K-P and Sindh to allay their reservations. If needed, the Chinese side will also be approached to play a role,” he added.

K-P’s opposition to granting extension in the registered Afghans refugees stay in Pakistan till December 31, 2017 is also being looked into. The Ministry of States and Frontier Regions has been tasked to work in coordination with K-P and to incorporate its input before taking a final decision.

He said in case the decision to extend Afghan refugees stay is officially taken, the provincial government will be issued separate funds to make preparations for refugees’ repatriation by year-end. “Public statements apart, a decision on paper to extend Afghan refugees stay is yet to be taken. If the provincial government stays opposed to this extension, it would be difficult to grant one. K-P’s economic and security concerns have to be addressed first,” the source said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2016.