Monitoring Desk
Sub-committee asks Privatisation Commission to refer matter to CCI, warns of privilege motion over non-compliance
ISLAMABAD: A Senate sub-committee has called for halting the privatisation process of power distribution companies (Discos), directing the Privatisation Commission to place the matter before the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and warning of parliamentary action if its directions are not followed.
The Senate Sub-Committee on Devolution, chaired by Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, expressed serious reservations over the continuation of the Discos privatisation process without fresh approval from the CCI.
The committee maintained that Discos were performing functions that it considers linked to provincial jurisdiction and said such responsibilities should either be regularised through approval of the provincial assemblies or transferred to the provinces.
The panel directed the Privatisation Commission to refer the issue to the CCI, stressing that matters involving provincial interests should be considered through the constitutional forum rather than being proceeded with solely at the federal level.
Senator Ghumro warned that failure to comply with the committee’s directions could lead to a privilege motion against the Privatisation Commission, escalating the parliamentary scrutiny of the ongoing privatisation process.
The issue was discussed as the committee reviewed implementation of the 18th Constitutional Amendment and the status of federal institutions and functions relating to provincial and CCI subjects. The Senate has previously recorded the sub-committee’s call for a fresh CCI review of the proposed Discos privatisation.
The committee also stressed the need for transparency in the privatisation process, with members raising concerns about the handling of earlier major privatisation cases.
Federal spending under scrutiny
The panel also reviewed compliance reports from the CCI Secretariat, Cabinet Division and Establishment Division regarding matters raised in previous meetings.
Senator Ghumro said the committee had called for the abolition of 24 federal ministries and organisations dealing with subjects falling within provincial or CCI-related domains. He also called for reducing federal expenditure from around Rs19 trillion to Rs13 trillion.
The committee sought audited expenditure details for the past 16 years on federal ministries, departments and organisations operating in areas that the panel considers devolved or subject to CCI oversight. The matter forms part of the committee’s broader review of the federal government’s size and expenditure following the 18th Amendment.
The Cabinet Division informed the committee that matters raised during its August 17 and September 8 meetings had been forwarded to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for action.
The panel also questioned the continued federal role in areas devolved to provinces and stressed the constitutional role of the CCI in matters involving federal-provincial interests.
Police service, media devolution reviewed
The committee separately examined the status of the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP). Officials told the panel that policing was primarily a provincial subject, while the PSP had been retained under Article 240 of the Constitution.
The Establishment Division was directed to submit its comments on the matter within two weeks.
The panel also reviewed the devolution of broadcasting and print media functions. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar sought one month to consult provincial governments and formulate proposals concerning the transfer of relevant functions.
The committee directed that the proposals be submitted within the requested period.
Thar coal power discussed
The committee also received a briefing from the Power Division and the Thar Coal Energy Board on electricity generated from Thar coal.
Officials informed the panel that electricity generated from Thar coal was being supplied to the national grid, while subsidy arrangements for consumers in Islamkot were under consideration.
The committee reiterated that matters falling under Part II of the Federal Legislative List should be placed before the CCI where constitutionally required, rather than being decided solely by the federal cabinet.
The latest proceedings add another layer of parliamentary scrutiny to the government’s plans for Discos, as the Privatisation Commission continues its work on the proposed sale of distribution companies while the Senate panel seeks a fresh examination of the issue through the CCI.