United decisions

In a decision which we hope can help mend the risks that crop up from time to time between the provinces, the Council of Common Interests has taken several decisions. The decisions, at the meeting presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended by all four chief ministers, bring up the question of the distribution of resources, royalty and appointments to key bodies. We should recall that water distribution and the matter of royalty on natural gas paid to Balochistan hare issues that have created tensions in the past.

At the CCI meeting it was decided the provinces will be consulted on each of these issues and kept involved in the decision-making process. The question of water distribution, an issue that most affects Sindh, is to be discussed between chief ministers, and water stored in reservoirs measured scientifically to ensure the figures given out are accurate. Gas royalties will also being determined by mutual consent and Ogra will be empowered to set the gas tariff and implement it. The meeting also noted that the chairperson of Wapda would be picked from the four provinces on rotation and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan informed a press conference following the seven-hour CCI meeting that it had been decided that a competent person would be appointed to this position after consultation with the provinces. A committee is to be formed to determine fair water distribution and hydel profit will be adjusted by Nepra between the provinces.

The meeting approved the proposal that provinces be allowed to generate their own alternative and renewable energy given the growing demand for electricity. Other decisions such as the question of workers’ rights will be kept with the centre. Sindh also brought up the issue of the 2017 census and opposed the release of figures until the statistics have been verified. All these decisions are important ones. For the sake of provincial harmony, it is especially important that the provinces discuss matters and reach decisions that all approve of. Of course, concessions will have to be made by each province to meet this requirement. We hope that the measures decided at the CCI can be implemented and followed up on. This has been a problem with decisions taken in the past and in a federation with multiple conflicts such as Pakistan the CCI needs to be converted into a more effective body.