ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the wishes of the people of Pakistan were reflected in the 18th Constitutional Amendment and stressed the need of its early transformation into reality for which the government had already constituted an Implementation Commission as required under clause 9 of Article 270AA.
The Prime Minister said this while chairing a meeting to review the implementation status of 18th Amendment with focus on functions and responsibilities to be devolved to the provinces.
The meeting was held at the Prime MinisterÂ’s House Thursday afternoon. The Prime Minister said that the Implementation Commission had been empowered to make rules or pass such directions, order or require the making of amendments to regulations etc, which may be necessary to achieve the objectives of clause 8 of Article 270 (AA) of the Constitution.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the Federal Government would extend full cooperation and support to the Implementation Commission, which has already done a commendable job in identifying the areas and steps, required to be taken to move forward. The Prime Minister directed that ministries and departments whose responsibilities are to be devolved should sift out the issues to be referred to the CCI. The assets and the funds, he added, of the Ministries and Divisions to be devolved be properly handled and no action in that regard be taken without consultation with the Implementation Commission. Expressing confidence that the Commission would work for completing the task of devolution in time ie June 30, 2011, the Prime Minister said the land mark 18th Constitutional Amendment was passed unanimously with the support of all the political parties in the Parliament and expressed confidence the same spirit would be demonstrated in the implementation of the amendments.
He said that as the concurrent list had been deleted, the provinces would now enjoy greater autonomy in managing their resources. On the NFC Award, the Prime Minister noted that the provincial governmentÂ’s share in the divisible pool had already been increased with the transfer of certain business of the Federal Government to the Provincial Governments through abolishment of the concurrent list. He said that provinces must work for strengthening their administrative machinery, which would be assuming higher role in the near future. Serious and concerted efforts, he added, were required both from the federation and the provinces to complete the transition in a smooth manner.
He said that certain laws, rules and regulations might require changes due to this transition, it was, therefore, expected that the provincial governments would work closely with the Implementation Commission. He asked the chief ministers to ensure that the transition took place swiftly and within given timeframe.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the Commission would give a roadmap along with definite timelines for implementation of the task given to it keeping in view the sensitivities involved. He said that the Parliament would be constantly updated on the status of the implementation after every two months.
The Chairman of the Implementation Commission of the Parliament on 18th Amendment Senator Mian Raza Rabbani while briefing the meeting informed that the Commission had already held three detailed meetings during which the areas of focus have been identified. He further apprised that the Inter-Provincial Coordination Division of the Federal Government, which acts as the Secretariat for inter-provincial matters, has been designated as Secretariat of the CCI and the Implementation Commission also.
Chairman of the Implementation Commission informed the meeting that rules and procedures of the Implementation Commission as well as for CCI have been prepared and sent to the Law Division for vetting before submission to the Prime Minister and CCI for approval. The role of CCI, he added, would be increased manifold during the process of implementation of 18th amendment and would be required to meet once every month till July 2011.
All the chief ministers appreciated the work done by the Implementation Commission on 18th Amendment under Senator Mian Raza Rabbani and assured every possible cooperation for timely completion of the implementation process. They informed that as per the directive, the provincial governments had set up the provincial implementation cells and completed the necessary homework.
The meeting was also attended by all the members of the Implementation Commission of the Parliament, Secretary Cabinet Division, Secretary Establishment Division, as well as the Chief Secretaries of the four provinces.
Monitoring Desk adds: Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz have reached a consensus on removing the hurdles in the way of implementation of 18th Amendment, a private TV channel reported on Thursday.
Staff Reporter adds: Prior to the high-level meeting on the implementation of 18th Amendment, Prime Minister Gilani spoke to Nawaz Sharif over the telephone. The two leaders discussed matters related to the implementation of the 18th Amendment.
They agreed on the implementation of the amendment and said it would strengthen democracy.
Nawaz Sharif has assured the PPP of the PML-NÂ’s cooperation regarding the amendmentÂ’s implementation. Gilani also congratulated him on the decision of Lahore High Court in their favour.
The Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed against Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif challenging their eligibility to contest elections. Nawaz Sharif thanked the Prime Minister for his sentiments.