Syed Qalb-i-Hassan says higher provincial autonomy strengthens state
PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court docket Bar Affiliation (SCBA) President Syed Qalb-i-Hassan has stated that provincial autonomy ensured by means of the 18th Constitutional Modification should not be compromised for the sake of financial system.
In an announcement on Wednesday, he emphasised that the provincial governments had been really liable for serving individuals on the grassroots stage, saying {that a} higher autonomy to the provinces ensured strengthening of the state relatively than weakening it.
“Democratic process and the provincial autonomy as ensured after the 18th Amendment, in line with original scheme of the 1973 Constitution, must not be compromised only for the sake of economy,” the SCBA chief stated.
“Rather it be safeguarded by all democratic forces in the larger interest of the country and continuity of the federal democratic system of government as enshrined in the Constitution of 1973,” he added. “Greater autonomy of the provinces ensures strengthening of the state rather than weakening it.”
Hassan went on to say that it was unlucky {that a} “calculative move had been launched” in opposition to the 18th Modification amid claims that enormous quantity of economic assets was transferred to the provinces, limiting the financial area for the federal authorities.
This argument, he stated, didn’t seem “convincing as after paying for defence and debt servicing, the federal government still has surplus to meet other expenses”.
Furthermore, he added, the federal authorities may enhance its monetary scenario by growing tax base and income assortment.
The SCBA chairman stated that after the departure of former army ruler Pervez Musharraf, parliament was in a position to restore the democratic and federal traits of the Structure by means of the 18th Modification which paved the way in which for Pakistan to change into a real federation.
The constitutional modification, he stated, granted efficient legislative and monetary autonomy to the provinces and strengthened the democratic dispensation by guaranteeing political transitions by means of electoral course of.
“The provincial governments are actually responsible for serving people at the grassroots level by setting up infrastructures for good governance. It is imperative that the provinces … enjoy maximum autonomy to serve the people and safeguard their rights and interests.”
Syed Qalb-i-Hassan additionally careworn the necessity for “all the stakeholders, may be at the Centre or at provinces”, to make concerted efforts to strengthen and empower the native authorities system throughout the nation.
