ISLAMABAD, July 18: The much-awaited provincial autonomy bill has been delayed due to growing political uncertainty and the worsening security situation in the country. Sources told Dawn on Wednesday that parliamentary committees headed by Senator Wasim Sajjad and Senator Mushahid Hussain had failed to finalise their recommendations, leaving no time for Minister for Provincial Coordination Salim Saifullah Khan to put it before the assembly whose term ends in November.
Both the committees could not coordinate and narrow their differences over various issues that delayed the matter.
PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain left the country on Wednesday saying that other pressing issues did not allow him to consult the heads of both the committees over the issue of provincial autonomy.
The minister for provincial coordination said that he had completed 90 per cent of his work aimed at proposing some amendments to the Constitution for offering more autonomy to the provinces.
However, he conceded that the two committees were yet to complete their recommendations due to which things were not moving rapidly.
The issue of devolution of powers from the Centre to the provinces, he pointed out, was not all that easy and still required certain debate by people particularly the political parties.
“Our effort was to ensure maximum provincial autonomy and we have made certain progress but I am afraid whether we can deliver during the next three months period,” said Mr Khan.
Responding to a question, he said he had consulted many political parties but sill there were other parties which needed to be approached. The issue should be expedited by the two parliamentary committees, he added.
Asked whether the government would get the provincial bill passed during its tenure, he said, “at least we would try that this bill reaches in parliament if not adopted.”
He said due to the ongoing law and order situation coupled with other issues, the work on the draft of the provincial autonomy had not so far finished.
The minister for provincial coordination said that the restructuring of the Centre was necessary with a view to restrict its powers and offer more autonomy to the provinces.
Replying to a question, he said that he had proposed the levy of some taxes by the provinces so that they could resolve their growing financial problems.
