MPC rejects reconstituted NFC committee

Alleges federal govt trying to diminish provincial autonomy

KARACHI: The multi-party conference (MPC) on Thursday rejected the recently reconstituted National Finance Commission (NFC) committee by the president that was made to work out a new resource distribution formula between the Centre and the federating units.

The MPC, which was chaired by PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, expressed dismay over the federal government's efforts to allegedly diminish the provincial autonomy.

It also demanded of the federal government to consider the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations for intermittent lockdown in Punjab.

In a letter on June 9 to the Punjab health minister, the WHO has called for implementing a two-week strict lockdown, intermittently, to stem the exponential spike in novel coronavirus cases in the province.

Leaders, who met at the Sindh CM House, unanimously vowed to defend the 18th Constitutional Amendment that according to the participants has empowered the provinces.

“No one will compromise on the rolling back of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which is an extraordinary law. We demand of the government to take all provincial governments into confidence and form a new NFC committee announcing award by increasing share of the provinces,” one of the MPC resolutions reads.

The conference was attended by leaders from different political parties – including Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F)’s Maulana Rashid Soomro, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shah Mohammad Shah, Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP)’s Shabir Qaimkhani , Sindh Taraqi Passand Party (STPP) leader Dr Qadir Magsi and leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), PML-Q, Sunni Tehreek, Awami Jamhori Party and Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen.

The conference also demanded of the government to convene the Council of Common Interest (CCI) meeting, which has not been held for quite a long time. As per the as per, it should be convened in every three months.

It was highlighted that all issues between the federal government and the provinces must be resolved in the CCI meeting.

One of the resolutions seeks restoration of as many as 9,350 employees of the Pakistan Steel Mills that were recently allowed to terminate by the federal government.

The federal government on June 4 decided to terminate all 9,350 employees of the PSM. The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet had also approved to give the due monetary benefits along with a month salary that will cost the exchequer Rs18 billion to Rs19.7 billion.

“This issue is implemented in light of the Supreme Court decision to drag the matter before the CCI forum,” it reads.

In his remarks, Khuhro said that some people don’t want to see the socio-economic prosperity of the provinces that is why hurdles were being created against the autonomy and hatching conspiracies against the 18th Constitutional Amendment.

“After long deliberation with all the political forces, the 18th Constitutional Amendment was unanimously passed. We will resist the move against it,” he said.

The MPC paid rich tribute to doctors and paramedics, who have been working as frontline workers in the war against the pandemic, and sought war footing measures to deal with it.

“We express serious concern over the increasing number of coronavirus positive patients and deaths in the entire county and demand of the federal and Sindh government to take immediate measures for saving the lives of people,” the resolution says, adding that the lives of people are precious than any other thing.

“We demand of the governments to make the tough decision if needed,” it reads.

The issue of locust swarms attack in Sindh also came under the discussion. The conference urged the authorities concerned to start spraying insecticides in the stricken areas. They also asked the government to announce compensation for the growers, who have lost their crops because of locust infestation.

Referred to the WHO advisory, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that no doubt people suffer from the lockdown, but it’s the only effective way to control the pandemic.

The provincial government has started the Covid-19 testing facility, but require ventilators, he said, adding: “We have ordered to purchase some ventilators, but still have not gotten. We demand the federal government to help us in this regard.”

However, JUI-F’s Soomro criticised the Sindh government for its performance in the Covid-19 crisis.

“The patients are not being treated properly. The hospitals and wards are deprived of basic facilities,” he said, adding that it would be difficult to defend the PPP ruled province on every forum if it fails to provide the basic rights to the people.

“Anti-rabies vaccinations are missing from hospitals. You can imagine the situation,” Soomro lamented.

Apart from such statements, he vowed to stand by the government if anyone tried to bulldoze the 18th Constitutional Amendment.

Criticising the PPP government for corruption and bad governance, Dr Magsi said the Sindh ruling party has earned so much from public money and it’s now time for them to deliver.

PML-N’s Shah stressed the need for the lockdown in the county to control the pandemic.

However, MQM’s Hussain added that soon after the NFC award, the provincial government must announce the provincial finance commission award to distribute king among various districts in Sindh.