Senate Committee Demands Provincial Quotas in Promotions, 50% Share in Oil and Gas Profits
ISLAMABAD: A Senate committee has called for provincial quotas in promotions to senior federal government positions and demanded a mechanism to ensure provinces receive their constitutional share in oil and gas resources and profits.
The Senate Functional Committee on Devolution, chaired by Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, discussed provincial representation in federal services and the implementation of constitutional provisions governing natural resources during a meeting in Islamabad on October 13.
The committee expressed concern over the lack of an effective mechanism to ensure equitable provincial representation across federal government departments, corporations and statutory bodies.
Committee raises concerns over provincial representation
The committee highlighted the limited representation of Balochistan at senior administrative levels, noting that only one federal secretary from the province was serving among the 38 federal divisions.
Members called for provincial quotas to be implemented in recruitment and promotions across federal services, covering positions from Basic Pay Scale (BPS) 1 to BPS 22.
The committee also examined the implementation of Article 38(g) of the Constitution, which addresses the fair representation of provinces in federal services.
Establishment Division officials assured the committee that provincial shares, particularly those of Balochistan, would be calculated and the necessary steps taken to improve representation.
The committee was also informed that letters had been issued to federal ministries, divisions and the Federal Public Service Commission to prioritise appointments from Sindh and Balochistan, where representation remains inadequate.
However, the absence of compliance reports prompted further concern among committee members.
The committee subsequently directed the relevant authorities to develop a mechanism for ensuring provincial representation in appointments, including promotions, and submit a compliance report within two weeks.
Provinces seek their share in oil and gas resources
The committee also reviewed the implementation of Article 172(3) of the Constitution, which provides for joint and equal ownership of mineral oil and natural gas within the constitutional framework governing the federation and the provinces.
Members expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of a comprehensive mechanism to implement these provisions effectively.
The committee called on the federal government to either transfer half of the relevant oil and gas wellheads to the provinces or ensure that they receive half of the profits generated by oil and gas companies.
The demand is aimed at strengthening provincial participation in the management and financial benefits of natural resources.
The committee gave the federal government two weeks to present an acceptable mechanism for implementing the constitutional provisions. It also warned that failure to comply could result in action against the relevant Petroleum Division officials.
Implementation of the 18th Amendment under scrutiny
The meeting placed renewed focus on the implementation of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which expanded provincial autonomy and reshaped federal-provincial responsibilities.
Committee members raised concerns over delays in implementing constitutional provisions related to provincial employment quotas and natural resource management.
The committee also criticised the repeated delays in addressing matters that fall within the scope of devolution and called for practical measures rather than further procedural delays.
In addition, show-cause notices were issued to provincial energy secretaries and the Federal Public Service Commission over their absence from the meeting.
The committee also formed a subcommittee to examine provincial representation across federal services, including corporations, statutory bodies and other institutions.
The latest directives place pressure on federal authorities to establish clear procedures for provincial representation and resource sharing.
The effectiveness of the proposed measures will depend on the government’s response within the specified timeframe and the implementation of a workable mechanism consistent with the Constitution.
