PTI wants assurance govt won't backtrack on devolution

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has submitted a calling attention notice to the National Assembly Secretariat seeking a response from the government over the possibility that it may unconstitutionally move “to undo the devolution of powers to the provinces under 18th Constitutional Amendment.”

PTI MNA Lal Chand Malhi has drawn the attention of the minister in-charge of the Cabinet Division to reports if the government intends to reverse the 18th Amendment, which devolved many powers to the provinces.

“It is a matter of urgent public importance and sensitive and causing grave concern among the public,” reads the notice submitted by Malhi on Monday.

The issue of a possible rollback has been in the headlines recently after it was reported that the army chief had suggested that the amendment poses more problems than the six points of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.

COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa had expressed this opinion during an “off-the-record” meeting with some leading anchors and journalists who later reported that the army thinks devolution of powers was a mistake that needs to be rectified.

The government has yet to officially respond to the issue, and a number of opposition parties have also maintained a curious silence.

A few days ago, former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani had apprehended that some elements want to roll back the 18th Amendment, saying any such move would weaken the federation and have consequences.

 

PTI seeks apology

 

PTI on Monday also demanded an apology from Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for his recent statement against Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjirani.

A PTI delegation consisting of Senator Faisal Javed and party spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry called on Sanjirani on Monday.

Demanding an apology from the prime minister, PTI leaders maintained that Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s statement made a mockery of parliament and the democratically-elected senate chairman.

“Such statement against first-ever elected Senate chairman from deprived Baluchistan has brought disgrace to the prime minister’s stature,” PTI spokesperson said.

He said Sanjrani was a symbol of federation and an absurd statement from a sitting PM had aggrieved people of Baluchistan. Reiterating PTI’s resolve, a spokesperson stated that PTI stands steadfastly with the Senate chairman and categorically made it clear that it won’t be a part of any venture against him.

On Saturday, PM Abbasi had criticised the Senate elections, asking how the country could earn the respect in the world with “Senate elections that were contested using the power of money”.

“An election where votes were sold and purchased got us a chairman who was not even known in political circles before. It is sad to have such a person as chairman of the Senate, an institution that represents the federation,” Abbasi had said.