Senate panel for federal-provincial control over resources

Senate panel for federal-provincial control over resources.

Key points

• The Newspaper's Staff Reporter Published October 14, 2026 Updated October 14, 2026 07: 02am.
• Turning to provincial share in federal services, the committee reviewed compliance under Article 38(g) regarding representation from BPS-1 to 22, including corporations, statutory bodies and autonomous institutions.
• According to The chair, in 38 divisions functioning within the federal setup, representation from provinces such as Balochistan remains severely low at senior administrative levels.
• Members regret lack of framework for joint management and distribution of revenue from natural resources despite devolution.
• He remarked shares of provinces, particularly Balochistan, would be computed and jobs provided.

Notably, the Newspaper's Staff Reporter Published October 14, 2026 Updated October 14, 2026 07: 02am. Join our Whatsapp Channel.

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Tuesday pressed giving provinces half the profits of oil and gas businesses or half the wellheads, observing that no proper mechanism exists for implementation of joint and equal control of the federation and provinces over natural resources.

Notably, the demand was created at a requisitioned gathering of the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution held here under the chairmanship of Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro to discuss provincial shares in federal services and implementation of Article 172(3) of the Constitution.

According to The committee, despite 16 years having elapsed since the passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, a comprehensive and operational framework for 50/50 joint management and revenue distribution of natural gas and petroleum resources under Article 172(3) has yet to be fully realised.

Expressing dissatisfaction over recurring procedural delays from the Ministry of Petroleum, the panel observed that referring key devolved matters repeatedly to the Council of Common Interests (CCI) without concrete progress undermines legislative intent.

Chairman Ghumro expressed deep concern over the absence of the secretary of petroleum division and directed the ministry, in consultation with all provincial stakeholders, to formulate a clear, actionable mechanism for implementation of Article 172(3) and submit a comprehensive report within 15 days.

According to The committee, either provinces may be given half the amount from the profits of gas and oil businesses or half the wellheads of oil and gas may be handed over to them.

In practice, the session was attended by Senators Jan Muhammad Buledi and Poonjo Bheel, secretaries of cabinet and CCI, Establishment Division, special secretary of establishment, further secretary of establishment and senior officers from the ministry of petroleum.

He remarked that recruitment and promotions must strictly adhere to constitutional shares and be conducted on merit and equitable basis throughout all ministries, divisions, attached departments, sub-offices, corporations and statutory bodies.

For context, the secretary of establishment assured the committee of full compliance, clarifying that all employees drawing salaries from the Administration of Pakistan fall under the provincial share framework. He remarked shares of provinces, particularly Balochistan, would be computed and jobs provided.

According to Mr Ghumro, letters were issued by the Establishment Division to all ministries, divisions and the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) for filling posts of Sindh and Balochistan on priority basis as they lacked representation, but no compliance reports had been submitted.

He directed the division to formulate a mechanism to secure provincial shares in all kinds of appointments, including promotions, and submit a compliance report within two weeks.

As per Article 38(g), the committee expressed concern over the absence of FPSC representatives and constituted a sub-committee to examine provincial shares in federal services in all grades, including corporations and statutory bodies.

It additionally issued show-cause notices to provincial secretaries of energy and FPSC for not attending the gathering, warning that strict action would be taken against them.

"If provinces are least bothered about their share in services as well as in oil and gas reserves, it speaks volumes about their efficiency, " the chairman remarked. Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2026.

Taken together, the developments around senate panel for federal-provincial control over resources point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.