ISLAMABAD, Dec 17: Caretaker Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Dr Muhammad Amjad said on Monday that a draft legislation on provincial autonomy was likely to be put before the cabinet soon for approval.

Talking to a private TV channel, he said the draft proposed transfer of powers to the provinces on 14 important matters.

He said some powers would be delegated to provincial governments now while the rest would be left to the discretion of the elected government.

Professional tax collection would be transferred to the provinces and distribution of resources among the provinces would be made on the basis of population, area and revenue generation, he added.

The draft legislation suggests that in the absence of governors, speakers of respective assemblies should act as governor. Punjab and Sindh, Dr Amjad said, had already given their consent to the draft while the NWFP and Balochistan were expected to agree soon.—APP