ISLAMABAD: A Senate panel on Monday expressed concern over under-representation of Balochistan and Sindh in federal government employment and directed that job quotas of the two provinces be filled on priority basis.

The issue was raised in a meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Dev­olution at Parliament House.

Presiding over a meeting of the panel, Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro said that both provinces had historically remained deprived of their rightful share in the federal secretariat employment.

He further directed the Establishment Division to issue a letter to all ministries, divisions, and autonomous corporations to ensure that provincial employment quotas are filled without delay, and share a copy of that letter with the committee. The chair directed officials concerned to carry out the provision of rightful share to the provinces and not the quota, which sounds like a favour.

Senate body directs Establishment Division to ensure provincial quotas are filled without delay

The committee also discussed the issue of appointments made on fake domiciles and directed relevant authorities to verify domiciles of all serving employees at the federal level.

The meeting was attended by Senators Sardar Al-Haj Muhammad Umer Gorgaij and Poonjo Bheel. Senator Jan Mohammad Buledi attended the meeting as a special invitee.

The special secretary of the Establishment Division info­rmed the committee that each ministry maintains a quota roster, and in cases where a provincial quota is not filled, it is generally carried forward to the following year. She also offered details to the committee regarding the distribution of human resources under the Federal Quota System.

The committee expressed dissatisfaction over the provision of incomplete information and directed authorities concerned to present province-wise details of employees and budget allocations in the next meeting.

The special secretary, Ministry of Energy (Power Division), while briefing the committee on the functions of power sector entities, stated that assets established through funding by the federal government are owned by the federal government, whereas power infrastructure established by provincial governments is owned by respective provincial governments.

He said that provinces may sell electricity generated from their infrastructure at rates determined by them.

Senator Ghumro said the people continue to suffer due to the nature of contracts signed with independent power producers.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2026