ISLAMABAD(National Times)- A parliamentary panel on Tuesday called for giving provinces half the profits of oil and gas companies or half the wellheads, observing that no proper mechanism exists for implementation of joint and equal control of the federation and provinces over natural resources.
The demand was made at a requisitioned meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution held here under the chairmanship of Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro to discuss provincial shares in federal services and implementation of Article 172(3) of the Constitution.
The committee observed that despite 16 years having elapsed since the passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, a comprehensive and operational framework for 50/50 joint management and revenue distribution of natural gas and petroleum resources under Article 172(3) has yet to be fully realised.
Expressing dissatisfaction over recurring procedural delays from the Ministry of Petroleum, the panel noted that referring key devolved matters repeatedly to the Council of Common Interests (CCI) without concrete progress undermines legislative intent.
Members regret lack of framework for joint management and distribution of revenue from natural resources despite devolution
Chairman Ghumro expressed deep concern over the absence of the secretary of petroleum division and directed the ministry, in consultation with all provincial stakeholders, to formulate a clear, actionable mechanism for implementation of Article 172(3) and submit a comprehensive report within 15 days.
The committee said that either provinces may be given half the amount from the profits of gas and oil companies or half the wellheads of oil and gas may be handed over to them.
The meeting was attended by Senators Jan Muhammad Buledi and Poonjo Bheel, secretaries of cabinet and CCI, Establishment Division, special secretary of establishment, additional secretary of establishment and senior officers from the ministry of petroleum.
Turning to provincial share in federal services, the committee reviewed compliance under Article 38(g) regarding representation from BPS-1 to 22, including corporations, statutory bodies and autonomous institutions.
The chair noted that in 38 divisions functioning within the federal setup, representation from provinces such as Balochistan remains severely low at senior administrative levels.
