ISLAMABAD: The Senate's oversight body on implementation of the 18th Constitutional Amendment on Monday directed the federal government to close about two dozen ministries and departments and transfer another one dozen bodies to the Council of Common Interests (CCI), according to a statement issued after the committee meeting.
The committee, chaired by Senator Raza Rabbani, reviewed the progress of devolution under the 18th Amendment, which transferred many subjects from the federal to provincial governments. The panel expressed concern over the slow pace of devolution and directed the government to take immediate steps to abolish or devolve the remaining federal ministries and departments that fall under provincial jurisdiction.
Officials from the Cabinet Division and the Ministry of Law and Justice briefed the committee on the status of various ministries and departments. The committee was told that several ministries, including those related to education, health, and social welfare, have already been devolved, but many others remain under federal control despite being on the concurrent list that was abolished by the 18th Amendment.
The committee directed the government to submit a comprehensive plan within two weeks for the closure and transfer of the identified ministries and departments. It also asked the government to ensure that the transfer of functions and assets is completed in a transparent and timely manner.
The 18th Amendment, passed in 2010, was a landmark constitutional reform that aimed to strengthen provincial autonomy in Pakistan. It abolished the concurrent list, which had allowed both the federal and provincial governments to legislate on certain subjects, and devolved 47 subjects to the provinces.
