Senate Panel Claims Federal Spending on Devolved Subjects Violates Constitution

ISLAMABAD: A Senate panel has revealed that the federal government has spent over Rs5 trillion on devolved provincial subjects and ministries related to the Council of Common Interests (CCI), a move deemed unconstitutional. Senator Barrister Zamir Hussain Ghumro, who chairs the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution, made this assertion on Tuesday, citing data from the Auditor General of Pakistan.

The staggering amount, equivalent to more than $18 billion, raises concerns about the federal government’s financial management. Ghumro highlighted that the country is grappling with excessive federal expenditure and a staggering debt of $135 billion. He noted that the current federal expenditure is around Rs19 trillion, while total tax and non-tax revenue stands at Rs20 trillion, leaving provinces with little to no funding and forcing the government to rely heavily on borrowing.

This situation has significant implications for the economy and governance in Pakistan. Ghumro argued that had the government adhered to the 18th Amendment, which mandates the devolution of provincial matters and the establishment of a permanent CCI secretariat, the country might have avoided its current financial predicament and reliance on external handouts.

Looking ahead, the Senate committee plans to further investigate the implications of these expenditures and the government’s adherence to constitutional mandates. Stakeholders are urged to engage in discussions about fiscal responsibility and the need for reform in federal financial practices.