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Event Title: Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, Convener Sub-Committee of the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House Islamabad
Event Date: 2026-09-08
Senate Sub-Committee on Devolution Calls for Fresh CCI Review of Privatisation of DISCOS and Implementation of Constitutional Devolution.
The Sub-Committee of the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution met today at Parliament House, Islamabad, under the convenorship of Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro. Senators Jan Muhammad Buledi and Poonjo Bheel attended the meeting. The meeting was attended by Secretary Information and Broadcasting, Additional Secretary Establishment Division, Additional Secretary Cabinet Division and representatives of the Privatization Division and Power Division.
The Convener expressed serious displeasure over the absence of the Secretary Cabinet Division during the proceedings and stressed the need for responsible ministries and departments to ensure their presence in parliamentary committee meetings. Committee said that if absence persists the matter shall be reported to Prime Minister.
The Sub-Committee discussed in detail the proposed privatisation of Power distribution companies. The Convener questioned the rationale for privatisation, particularly in view of the high recovery rates reported in Islamabad, Faisalabad and Lahore, at 100%, 98% and 99%, respectively. The Committee was informed that the federal government was privatising Power distribution companies falling within its jurisdiction and that the proposal for their privatisation had previously been considered by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in 2011.
Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro observed that Power distribution was required to be dealt with in accordance with the constitutional scheme of devolution and stressed that the responsibility for providing Power services should not be unnecessarily transferred to private entities. He further stated that the constitutional provisions relating to electricity and provincial autonomy must be implemented in letter and spirit. He said that under Article 157 of the Constitution, Provincial Governments are responsible for distribution of electricity with the Province. They can fix tariff, impose consumption tax and lay transmission lines. They can also establish Power Houses and Gird Stations.
The Committee recommended that the issue of privatisation of Power distribution companies be placed before the Council of Common Interests (CCI) afresh for consideration and for an appropriate decision. Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi said that 2011 decision of CCI was not relevant as CCI has been reconstituted many times.
The Sub-Committee examined the continued existence of federal ministries and departments dealing with subjects devolved to the provinces. Senator Ghumro observed that, despite decisions taken following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, several ministries and functions had subsequently been recreated at the federal level. He stressed that the federal government should restrict its functions to matters constitutionally assigned to it and that devolved subjects must be transferred to the provinces in accordance with the constitutional scheme.
The Committee unanimously rejected the contention submitted by the Cabinet Division that these ministries have been created for Co-ordination and International commitments. The Committee said in earlier meeting same contention of Cabinet division was rejected and its insistence was contemptuous act and recommended that the constitutional provisions relating to devolution be implemented in their true spirit. It said that Committee in its 17th August meeting had clearly directed that all 24 ministries and institutions on provincial matters as well as CCI subjects may be abolished but Cabinet Division has come up with same reasons which were rejected in last meeting being not in consonance with Constitution.
He said that Federal government is bleeding the country by spending Rs.19 Trillion whereas total tax and non tax Revenue of the Country is around Rs.20 Trillion. He asked the Cabinet Division to bring the matter in the knowledge of Prime Minister and submit fresh compliance report otherwise Prime Minister shall be called to the meeting. Retaining 24 ministries and institutions illegally at Federal level is bleeding the country.
The Committee also questioned the role of the Establishment Division in matters relating to the promotion and service affairs of police officers serving in the provinces, observing that such matters fall within the provincial domain. It recommended that service matters of officers serving in the provinces be dealt with by the respective provincial governments in accordance with the Constitution. He said entry no 16 of the erstwhile Concurrent Legislative List regarding Police was omitted and Police falls exclusively under Provincial domain. Committee directed the Establishment Division to transfer all Police matters to Provinces. The compliance Report shall be submitted within two weeks.
Senator Ghumro further called for the abolition of unnecessary federal ministries and departments dealing with devolved subjects and proposed that only a limited number of ministries dealing with genuinely federal subjects including Defense, Foreign affairs, Finance, Commerce, Communication, Maritime Affairs, Science and Technology, Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs should remain at the Centre as per Federal Legislative List Part I. This Devolution Scheme shall be implemented and compliance report submitted in two weeks. Any deviation shall not be tolerated as it amounts to misuse of authority and wastage of public funds.
The Sub-Committee also discussed the status of the Capital Administration and Development Division (CAAD). Senator Ghumro observed that CAAD had been established through a notification dated 31st March 2011 and that, following its abolition, federal ministries and departments had assumed responsibilities relating to education, health and other services in the Federal Capital. He expressed concern over the performance of the federal government in providing public services to the residents of Islamabad and recommended consideration of the restoration of CAAD.
Committee was informed that CCI Secretariat has moved a summary for calling its meeting as well as its reconstitution as directed by the Committee. However, Summary is pending with the Prime Minister.
The Committee further recommended that a fresh letter shall be addressed to the Prime Minister regarding transfer of CCI natters to its Permanent Secretariat so that divisions/ departments may be created which will be responsible to Parliament. It also proposed that subjects devolved under the constitutional scheme be transferred to the provinces.
The Sub-Committee was also briefed by the Managing Director, Thar Coal, regarding the operational status of Thar coal-based power plants. The Committee was informed that six Thar coal power plants are currently operational, of which four are operating entirely on Thar coal, while the remaining two are using Thar coal to the extent of 33% and 20%, respectively. The Committee decided to summon the Thar Coal Energy Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the relevant Thar power plant at its next meeting for further briefing.
The Sub-Committee was informed by all the four Provincial governments that they need to be assigned Broadcasting and Telecasting functions. The Committee directed the Information Ministry that broadcasting and telecasting powers may be assigned to Provinces as per article 159 of the Constitution. Committee asked the Ministry to transfer all print media functions including ABC to the Provinces as relevant entry in Concurrent Legislative List was omitted and print media can’t be regulated by Federal Govt. Ministry assured that Dawn newspaper is being provided ads and that have no complaint. The Committee sought Compliance within two weeks.
The Sub-Committee further took up the issue concerning equal and joint ownership of Provinces and Federal government in mineral oil and natural gas under Article 172(3) of the Constitution. The Convener observed that commitments made in the previous meeting had not been adequately implemented and that the provinces had allegedly not been given due representation in the relevant board or an appropriate share in ownership and profits. He termed the situation a serious constitutional concern and recommended that the matter be taken up comprehensively by the Devolution Committee.
Committee said that a letter was issued to Provinces regarding their share in Board of Directors as well as grant of shares of Oil and gas Companies including PPL but recent letter for Constitution of Board of Directors of PPL shows that no nomination has been invited from provinces which is only violation of underrating given to the Committee earlier but disobedience to provisions of Article 172(3). The Committee taking serious view of the matter said that it was a clear breach of privilege which may be introduced against the Secretary as well as the Special Secretary immediately.
The Sub-Committee reiterated that the constitutional framework of federalism, provincial autonomy and devolution must be implemented in its true spirit and that all provinces should receive their due constitutional rights, equal representation and ownership as per Constitutional provisions.