ISLAMABAD: A Senate Sub-Committee has called for a fresh review of the privatisation of power distribution companies by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and emphasized the need for strict adherence to constitutional devolution provisions. The meeting, held at Parliament House under the leadership of Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, saw active participation from Senators Jan Muhammad Buledi and Poonjo Bheel, alongside key governmental representatives.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the Sub-Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of the Secretary Cabinet Division and emphasized the importance of responsible attendance by relevant ministries in parliamentary discussions. The privatisation proposal was scrutinized, with Senator Ghumro questioning its necessity given the high recovery rates in major cities and reiterating that power distribution responsibilities should remain under provincial jurisdiction as per constitutional mandates.

The meeting also revisited issues concerning the federal government’s retention of ministries that oversee devolved subjects, urging alignment with the 18th Constitutional Amendment. The Sub-Committee rejected the Cabinet Division’s justification for maintaining these ministries, calling for a report to be submitted to the Prime Minister, and stressing that only ministries dealing with essential federal matters should persist.

Further discussions highlighted the need for provincial control over police service matters and the restructuring of federal involvement in areas like education and health within the Capital Administration and Development Division. The Sub-Committee also addressed broadcasting and telecasting rights, advocating for their transfer to provincial authorities, and emphasized equitable provincial representation in natural resource management.

The Committee underscored the constitutional imperatives of federalism and provincial autonomy, urging the government to ensure provinces receive their rightful constitutional entitlements and representation.