Islamabad: The Senate Functional Committee on Devolution, under the leadership of Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, convened at the Parliament Lodges to address significant institutional and constitutional shortcomings, notably the lack of federal ministerial and secretarial presence. The committee expressed formal displeasure over these absences and highlighted systemic issues in higher education and provincial representation.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the committee’s discussions centered around the shortcomings of higher education institutions in establishing effective anti-harassment protocols. Senator Ghumro pointed to the tragic case of Fahmida Laghari as evidence of the current system’s failings. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) reported 472 recorded cases, leading to the dismissal of 53 faculty members. However, the committee critiqued these actions as merely reactive measures. COMSATS representatives indicated that 19 out of 20 harassment cases reported across their seven campuses between 2023 and 2025 were resolved, but the committee insisted on the need for greater institutional accountability.
The committee also addressed the issue of provincial equity, issuing a directive for the immediate enforcement of employment quotas as outlined in Article 38(g) of the Constitution. The Establishment Division was instructed to ensure that all Ministries and Divisions establish special committees to monitor provincial shares in federal services and corporations, with a mandate to rectify past omissions by prioritizing hiring from underrepresented provinces.
Additionally, the committee discussed ongoing devolution challenges in the energy and education sectors. Members expressed their disagreement with the Cabinet Division’s current policy regarding Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs). As a result, the Attorney General and the Privatization Commission are required to attend the next committee meeting to develop a framework aligned with devolved authority. Senator Ghumro emphasized that the HEC must adhere to the post-18th Amendment constitutional framework, which restricts federal interference in provincial educational matters. All relevant departments are now obligated to submit regular compliance reports to ensure adherence to these directives.
The meeting was attended by Senators Poonjo Bheel, Saeed Ahmed Hashmi, and senior officials from concerned departments.