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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: 2026-09-28
Senate Sub-Committee on Devolution Reviews Compliance on 18th Constitutional Amendment, Devolution of Subjects. Convening the CCI and Provincial Powers
The Senate Sub-Committee on Devolution met at the Parliament House, Islamabad, under the chairmanship of Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro to review compliance reports regarding the devolution of subjects to the provinces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the status of federal institutions dealing with provincial and Council of Common Interests (CCI) subjects, and related matters.
The meeting was attended by Senators Jan Muhammad Buledi, Senator Poonjo Bheel and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Secretary, Cabibet Division, Establishment Division along with senior officials from the relevant ministries, divisions, departments and institutions.
The Sub-Committee reviewed the Compliance Report by the Permanent Secretariat of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in pursuance of the minutes of its meetings held on August 17 and September 8, 2026, as well as the report submitted by the Cabinet Division in compliance with the directions of the Sub-Committee.
Futhermorw, the Committee also considered the compliance report of the Establishment Division and the submission of audited details of expenditure by the Auditor General of Pakistan/Controller General of Accounts regarding ministries, attached departments, programmes, institutions, statutory bodies, corporations and companies retained or continued by the Federal Government since 2011 in relation to provincial and CCI subjects.
The Sub-Committee emphasized that the 18th Constitutional Amendment was aimed at strengthening the constitutional framework for devolution and clearly defining the respective responsibilities of the Federation and the provinces. The Committee observed that matters falling within the domain of the provinces and CCI should be dealt with in accordance with the Constitution and relevant notifications issued following the implementation of the 18th Amendment.
Moreover, during the briefing, the Cabinet Secretary informed the Committee that a note on the matter had already been forwarded to the Prime Minister for information. The Committee was informed that the CCI is an important constitutional forum much like Federal Cabinet and plays an important role in matters falling within its domain. The officials stated that relevant recommendations had also been forwarded to the Prime Minister. It may recalled that the Sub-Committee had directed that 24 Ministries and Organizations on provincial and CCI matters may be abolished and expenditure of Federal govt may be brought down from present Rs 19 trillion to 13 trillion. Convenor said that the total tax and non tax revenue of the Country was Rs 20 trillion whereas Federal govt expenditure is almost Rs 19 trillion which is cause of concern for the Country. He said there must be Constitutional audit of federal Govt about its size and expenditure and it must be brought down drastically.
Convenor expressed displeasure over the no receipt of agenda meeting notice by Auditor General and Controller General and directed both of them to submit audited amount of expenditure on the ministries and Organizations established on CCI and provincial matters by CCI of last 16 years which could amount in trillions. Such unconstitutional expenditure can’t be allowed when the country is facing economic crisis. No perky shall be spent on devolved or CCI matters being handled by Federal Govt.
The Committee also reviewed the issue of federal institutions and policing-related functions. Officials explained that policing is primarily a provincial subject, while Police Service of Pakistan has been retained under Article 240 of the Constitution. The Convenor referred to omission of Entry no 16 of the erstwhile Concurrent List and said PSP can’t be retailed by Federal Govt. Establishment Division was asked to filed Comments within two weeks. The Committee observed that while filing comments the existing constitutional framework must be examined to ensure that no function is retained in violation of Constitution and expenditure incurred.
The Sub-Committee also examined the report of the Information and Broadcasting Division concerning the entrusting of broadcasting and telecasting functions to the provinces under Article 159 of the Constitution and the transfer of print media matters following their omission from the Concurrent Legislative List.
During the discussion, officials briefed the Committee on the existing arrangements concerning films, cinemas and print media. The Committee observed that the distribution of legislative and administrative responsibilities between the Federation and provinces are clearly defined and in order to to avoid anomalies there are Asli clear provisions.
The Committee was informed that certain articles provide constitutional mechanisms for assigning or entrusting certain functions between the Federation and provinces. The Minister of Informationand Broadcasting stated that the existing rules and constitutional provisions would be examined and that the matter shall be referred to the Committee for decision according to Constitution. Convenmor said that Co-ordination issues could be taken up in CCI as Coordination is the subject of CCI. Convenor agreed to issue such direction in this regard after the proposal within the scheme of Constitution is submitted for devolution of media to the Provinces under article 159 as well as after omission of print media from Concurrent List.
Additionally, the Minister requested one month to undertake consultations with the provincial governments and develop appropriate models relating to the devolution of media functions and capacity building. The Chairman directed the concerned authorities to submit a comprehensive proposal before the Committee within a month which shall also be discussed in the main Committee on Devolution.
The Committee also discussed broadcasting infrastructure and the installation of transmitters in the provinces. The Minister informed the Committee that requests have been received from Balochistan and Punjab for assistance regarding transmitters and related infrastructure. Khyber Pakhtukhawa representative stated that ten radio channels were currently being operated successfully and that further expansion could be considered. The Chairman directed the concerned officials to coordinate with the provinces and suggested that meetings at the Director General level should also be held first to address the matter effectively.
The Sub-Committee subsequently reviewed the report of the Privatization Commission concerning the privatization of distribution companies (DISCOs). The Chairman expressed reservations regarding the continuation of the privatization process in relation to matters falling within the provincial domain and directed the concerned authorities to review the constitutional and legal position.
The Committee stressed that matters involving the provinces must be placed before the Council of Common Interests as directed The Chairman further directed the concerned authorities to reconsider the position communicated to the Committee and warned that failure to address the matter could lead to the Committee taking appropriate parliamentary action, including consideration of a privilege motion. It said that DISOs matters must be transparent as Steel Mills and PIA provocation process raised serious questions about transparency. Committee said DISCOs are performing provincial functions which either may be legalised by seeking approval provincial Assemblies or transferred to Provinces. The Committee expressed reservations on the response of Privatization Commission which wants to bulldoze the process avoiding fresh approval from CCI. Committee warned Privatization Commission to comply with earlier direction of Committee or face action.
The Sub-Committee also examined the briefing by the Power Division and Thar Coal Energy Board regarding electricity generated from Thar coal, the provision of electricity to local communities, corporate social responsibility and environmental measures in the Thar coal area.
The Committee was informed that electricity generated from Thar coal is being supplied to the national grid and that arrangements relating to electricity subsidies for consumers in Islamkot and surrounding areas were also being examined. The provincial government is providing its share of the subsidy under the existing arrangement.
The Chairman appreciated the role of Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah by making the project a game changer for Pakistan and directed the concerned authorities to ensure that the local population of Islamkot continues to receive the applicable subsidy and that issues relating to electricity supply and pricing are addressed.
The Committee also discussed the cost of electricity generated from Thar coal and the benefits accruing to local communities. Senators poonjo bheel raised concerns regarding employment opportunities for the local population and stressed the need to ensure that communities in the Thar coal region benefit from development activities.
The Committee was also briefed on the development of Thar Coal, including its substantial coal reserves, historical development, infrastructure, current strategic initiatives and ongoing mining and power-generation projects. The briefing also covered corporate social responsibility, clean and green environmental measures being undertaken by the companies operating in Thar Coal Block-I and Block-II, and the contribution of Thar coal-based electricity to the national grid.
Officials told about the history of Thar coal development. The briefing highlighted the timeline of key milestones, including the 1992 decision to conduct a feasibility study and the 2008 government decision to incorporate Thar coal in the country's energy plan. It also covered subsequent developments, such as the 2009 decision to establish SECMC, the 2010 feasibility study, and the 2011 mining lease grant for Thar Block II. The Committee was further informed about the government's initiatives in 2013, 2014 and 2016, including project approvals, a 2019 commercial operations declaration, and long-term plans up to 2022-23.
Convenor said that Tgar Cosl project is the dream of Shsgeed Benazir Bhutto which has been realized by Sindh Govt adding cheap electricity to the national gird.
Subquently, the Committee was informed about ongoing and proposed transmission and electricity projects in the area, including projects scheduled for completion in 2028. Officials also briefed the Committee on planned additions to the transmission system and related infrastructure.
He said the Priine Minister must take action on the matters addressed by the Committee including abolishing ministries on Provincial and CCI matters and taking up matters of Federal List Part II in CCI instead of Federal Cabinet. He said the Committee shall await the reply of PM and expects that it shall be submitted shortly and before next meeting so that further action could be taken.
The Chairman directed the concerned ministries and departments to submit the required information and compliance reports within the stipulated timelines.