‘PML-N not implementing 18th Amendment’

Senate committee says powers must be given to provinces

KARACHI: The Senate functional committee on the devolution process expressed its concern over the non-implementation of the 18th Amendment and said that Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) is a stumbling block in implementing the law.

During a provincial consultative meeting held in Karachi, they demanded the issue be brought up during the Council of Common Interest meeting. The meeting, chaired by Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi who belongs to the National Party, called upon the prime minister to reconsider his policies and play a role in implementing the 18th Amendment. “The resources are generated by small provinces, but Punjab is exploiting them,” said Senator Shahi Syed of Awami National Party (ANP).

Senator Muzaffar Hussain Shah of Pakistan Muslim League said that it had been seven years, but the provinces have still not been given their due rights promised in the 18th Amendment.



Senator Sassui Palijo of Pakistan Peoples Party said that the PML-N government has always set a precedent of depriving small provinces of their rights.  “PML-N is not a political party; it is now confined to a family group who run the show,” she accused.

During the meeting, lawmakers of the Sindh Assembly were also invited. Former chief minister and PML-N MPA Arbab Ghulam Rahim said the prime minister has become a king as he has not given the provinces their democratic rights. “It is high time to devolve powers to provinces rather than controlling each and every thing,” he said.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly Syed Sardar Ahmed raised the issue of local government powers and said, “We don’t only believe in provincial autonomy, but there is dire need strengthen district and city governments by giving more powers to local body representatives”.