News
Friday, May 11, 2012
Special committee formed to examine devolution process* Committee given three months to complete task
* Zafar Ali Shah says president should suggest new PM immediately
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: The Upper House of parliament on Thursday approved constitution of a committee to examine various steps by the government in the devolution process under the 18th Amendment and look into procedural problems by adopting a motion, whose blocking by the chair the other day created a ruckus in the House.
The committee, which would be formed by House Chairman Nayyar Hussain Bokhari in consultation with leaders of the House and opposition, has been given three months to submit a report on the devolution process, besides defining its Terms of Reference.
Law Minister Farooq H Naek said the inter-provincial coordination minister could better explain why the vertical programmes were retained with the federation despite their devolution under the 18th Amendment.
Mir Hasil Bizenjo told the House that provincial authorities of Balochistan had informed him that they were not yet consulted on retention of these vertical programmes with the federation. Opposition leader Ishaq Dar mentioned a letter written by the principal secretary on October 4, 2011, narrating as to why these vertical programmes had been retained with the federation on the pretext of safeguarding vital support being provided by international partner agencies after considering the views of the provincial government.
Senator Raza Rabbani, who flared up over blocking of his motion by the chair and later walked out from the House on Wednesday, apologised for his conduct and said the motion he moved was not against the federal government, but was rather aimed at facilitating the federal government.
The PML-N again took up Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s conviction in the contempt of court case, when its member Zafar Ali Shah said the president should suggest a new prime minister immediately as the president along with the National Assembly speaker and Senate chairman had received certified copies of the full verdict.
Law Minister Farooq Naek maintained that the court had not disqualified PM Gilani, adding that the issue would be referred to the NA speaker. He said the issue would be automatically dropped if the speaker does not take action.
“Yousaf Raza Gilani still holds the prime minister’s office,” Naek said amidst the walkout of PML-N senators, who were asked by the chair to listen to the law minister.
Moreover, the Senate unanimously passed The Medical and Dental Council (Amendment) Bill‚ 2012 that provides for amending The Medical and Dental Council Ordinance‚ 1962. Minister for National Regulations and Services Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the bill would help take the private sector medical colleges and hospitals into mainstream.
The House was informed on Thursday that the government intends to reduce General Sales Tax on petroleum products to provide relief to the masses and consultation was underway with the provinces in this regard.
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain told the House during question hour that out of the total GST collected, 70 percent goes to the provinces and 30 percent to the federation. He said work on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project was in progress and it would be completed by 2014. He claimed that completion of the project would reduce gas shortage in the country.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk