Conference: Rabbani stresses changing ‘centrist’ mindset
The concept of needing strong centre to guarantee a strong nation must now be changed to strengthening the provinces.
ISLAMABAD:
At the first session of a three-day conference, Senator Raza Rabbani stressed the need to change the centrist mindset of federalism and to accept the reality of handing over responsibility to the provinces.
Addressing participants during the session on “Global Perspectives and Local Linkages,” Rabbani explained that while decentralising governance, we have to strengthen the federal government at the same time. The Council of Common Interests will provide a collective form of leadership in terms of policymaking and control of natural resources, he said. Those against the idea of strong provinces question their capacity. “The federal ministries of health and education from 1947 to 2010 were a violation of the Constitution,”said Rabbani.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 26th, 2013.
At the first session of a three-day conference, Senator Raza Rabbani stressed the need to change the centrist mindset of federalism and to accept the reality of handing over responsibility to the provinces.
He was speaking at the confernce, “Participatory Federalism and Decentralisation: From Framework to Functionality.” Endorsing the 2006 Charter of Democracy, Rabbani said the concept of needing a strong centre to guarantee a strong nation must now be changed to strengthening the provinces.
Addressing participants during the session on “Global Perspectives and Local Linkages,” Rabbani explained that while decentralising governance, we have to strengthen the federal government at the same time. The Council of Common Interests will provide a collective form of leadership in terms of policymaking and control of natural resources, he said. Those against the idea of strong provinces question their capacity. “The federal ministries of health and education from 1947 to 2010 were a violation of the Constitution,”said Rabbani.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 26th, 2013.