KARACHI, Jan 13: As the question of provincial autonomy remains a core issue in Pakistan, the Sindh Association of North America has proposed a framework for addressing the issue that included supremacy of the parliament and cut in defence spending.

The chief of the Sindhi Association of North America (SANA), Mr Aziz Narejo, made these suggestions in an e-mail message while taking into account demands of the smaller provinces ranging from complete independence, a confederation to a federation based on the 1940 resolution.

The association believes that supremacy of the parliament could be established with equal representation from provinces. A true federation must be created on the basis of the 1940 resolution with only foreign affairs, defence and currency dealt by the federal government.

It also called for making Punjabi, Sindhi, Siraiki, Pushto and Balochi national languages and drastic cuts in the military expenditure. Provinces should get equal representation in all the ranks of the armed forces and all the federal departments.

It also proposed that provinces should have powers of taxation and revenue collection and should be owners of their resources. They should contribute to the federation proportionally.

It emphasised that priority rights of the indigenous people be guaranteed under the Constitution. No dams or mega projects are undertaken without concerned province’s approval and water should be distributed according to the 1945 Sindh-Punjab Agreement.

It also demanded that illegal aliens be repatriated to their countries and people of all the provinces should be provided employment and economic opportunities in their own provinces.

Mr Narejo noted that persistent inability of the leadership to find an acceptable solution had cost dearly to the country stalling the normal growth and the evolution and creating disharmony and unrest among smaller provinces.

He emphasized that in the current volatile situation, it had become imperative that a lasting solution was found to the issue to avoid any further harm.