Alvi okays reconstitution of CCI

President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday approved the reconstitution of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), a constitutional body that resolves the disputes of power-sharing between the federation and provinces.

President Alvi reconstituted the council on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif under Article 153 of the Constitution, a statement issued by the Presidency read.

The council comprises the prime minister, four chief ministers and three members from the federal government to be nominated by the premier.

PM Shehbaz has named Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Commerce Minister Naveed Qamar and Aviation and Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique for the three federal slots.

In the scheme of Pakistani federalism, the CCI was created in 1973 to harmonise federal-provincial relations and conform to the spirit of federalism.

It was a new approach towards addressing federal-provincial issues after bitter experiences of One-Unit characterised by a highly centralised decision making and denial of provincial rights that resulted in the 1971 East Pakistan tragedy.

Even after this tragic episode the Pakistani federal experience had been characterized by continued conflicts and crisis between the federation and provinces for greater autonomy and control over natural resources.

It is in this context that the 18th Constitutional Amendment has tried to reform and restructure the CCI to promote a culture of participatory federalism. The 18th Amendment has introduced two major steps: (i) expanding the scope of Federal Legislative List-II and (ii) revitalising the composition of the CCI.

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In the new scenario the Council has emerged as one of the most important forums in the federal institutional framework. It is envisaged to become an effective dispute resolution, economic planning and development forum to further the cause of participatory federalism.

Since its creation in 1973 the CCI had been a less utilised constitutional body. Before the Constitution and institutions flowing out, it could have solved federal-provincial issues, it was put in abeyance in 1977 by imposing martial law, and in 1985 through the 8th Amendment its federal spirit was changed. In 1999, it was again put in abeyance, and in 2003 vide the 17th Amendment it was given a quasi-presidential form. Thus in absence of constitutionality, the CCI remained a dormant body.

During 37 years of its existence since its inception in 1973 to 2010, it could meet only for 11 times. In absence of any proper secretariat of the CCI it is difficult to find any well documented institutional memory. After the 18th Constitutional Amendment in April 2010, the CCI has held 13 meetings till December 2013 and taken up dozens of issues of federal-provincial importance. This explains the increasing efficacy of the CCI and functionality of the notion of 'shared responsibilities' after the 18th Amendment. The rationale of the CCI is anchored in a federal concept of inter-governmental relations.

According to the Constitution, the council shall be constituted within 30 days of the prime minister taking oath of office. The council will meet at least once in 90 days and have a permanent secretary.