Provinces in Pakistan to have maximum autonomy: Shujaat
By Attaul Mohsin Syed - Pakistan Times Staff Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Thursday reiterated the resolve of the government to give maximum autonomy to the provinces.

"This is our commitment and utmost endeavour to give provinces maximum autonomy as desired by President General Pervez Musharraf," he said talking to newsmen after an extensive meeting held at the National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB). The NRB) proposed certain measures for resolving the problems of the provinces by giving them more powers.

These proposals will be included in the recommendations being prepared by the Constitutional Committee of the Parliament on Balochistan.

Final Proposals

The NRB will now submit its final proposals within a fortnight. Shujaat Hussain said the NRB had been busy in devolution of powers to grass roots during last three to four years and it also presented proposals on devolution of powers from federation to provinces.

He said these proposals would be included in the recommendations of the Constitutional Committee of the Parliament on Balochistan headed by leader of the House in the Senate, Waseem Sajjad.

"The proposals are focussed on resolution of the problems of the provinces and will also be presented to the Constitutional Committee for consultation," he added.

Shujaat said certain clarifications on the proposals were sought during the meeting and the NRB would be presenting its final report within two weeks time.

He described the notions like keeping four subjects with the federation and giving others to provinces as "vague" and said in certain areas the federation would have a role to ensure uniformity of policies.

Education Sector

Shujaat cited the education sector and said although it was already a provincial matter yet the federal government had a role to "ensure uniformity of the education policy in the country."

To a question about revision of the concurrent list, Shujaat Hussain said it would also be looked into to assess what impact it would have once certain subjects from the concurrent list were transferred to provinces.

He rejected the possibility of discarding the concurrent list and said, "it cannot be deleted, but can be revised."

To a question, the PML Chief categorically said that the local governments election would definitely be held.

"President Pervez Musharraf has decided about it from day one and he will himself ensure holding of local government elections," Shujaat said.●