November 08, 2006	Wednesday	Shawwal 15, 1427

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QUETTA Nov 7: Opposition in the Balochistan Assembly on Tuesday thwarted an attempt to push through a resolution aimed at empowering the federal government to pass a law which the opposition fears would infringe upon rights of the province.

Speaker Jamal Shah Kakar deferred voting on the resolution till November 13 to enable the movers and opposition members to discuss it threadbare outside the house and reach a consensus.

Earlier on Saturday, provincial minister Mir Abdul Rehman Jamali had tabled the same resolution but the chair deferred it because the opposition was of the view that the move would negate principles of federal parliamentary system and deprive the federating units of their powers.

The resolution asks the federal government to legislate, in the light of article 144 of the Constitution, for formation of a national commission for reforms, speedy and effective regulation of work, modernisation of government accountability structure to achieve the objective of a stable federation and promote understanding and coherent relations among federal, provincial and district governments.

Jan Muhammad Buledi of the National Party said that the resolution was vague and would enable the centre to control local governments, a provincial subject, on permanent basis and not for just nine years as provided in the fourth schedule of the 17th amendment.

Abdur Rahim Ziaratwal of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party claimed that the 17th amendment had already paved way for perpetual military rule and the resolution would further strengthen the dictatorial regime.

He said people of smaller provinces were demanding implementation of the 1940 resolution, granting full autonomy to the federating units, in its true spirit, but the resolution under discussion challenged even the autonomy granted by the 1973 Constitution.

Mr Ziaratwal said that nationalist parties had proposed to the parliamentary committee on constitutional reforms that except currency, foreign affairs, defence and communication, all the subjects mentioned in the federal and concurrent lists should be given to the provinces.

The law minister, however, stated that the resolution was aimed at improving governmental affairs through legislation in accordance with the requirement of article 144 of the Constitution.

When Senior Minister Maulana Abdul Wasay said that the resolution could not be adopted without MMA’s support of, the law minister assented to its deferment.

The house completed debate on an adjournment motion regarding dengue fever and the speaker asked the Quetta City District Government to carry out anti-mosquito fumigation in the provincial capital and observe a cleanliness week to create awareness among people.