LAHORE: The Implementation Commission on the 18th amendment has decided to transfer five federal ministries to the provinces by Nov 27, tv channels reported.The ministries to be transferred include Local Government and Rural Development, Youth Affairs, Zakat and Ushr, Population Welfare and Special Affairs. It is pertinent to mention that around 3,918 employees are currently working with the said ministries.The Commission has also decided on a unanimous 19th amendment vis-a-vis judges’ appointment.Separately, The Constitutional Reforms Committee (CRC) of Parliament decided to bring changes in the procedure with regard to appointment of judges in the superior judiciary under the 18th amendment in the light of the Supreme Court (SC) interim order and recommendations.
Committee met here Tuesday under senator Raza Rabbani to review the interim order of SC and recommendations in connection with the appointment of judges.Talking to media men after the meeting, senator Raza Rabbani said option for introducing the 19th amendment was there to change the procedure for induction of judges. Under article 267-A of the constitution, the difficulties if faced in any constitutional issue can be removed by presenting a resolution in the joint sitting of both the houses of parliament, he pointed out.The SC recommendations would be included for changing the procedure for appointment of judges and no member of committee had raised any objection on this count, he added.He hoped the committee would soon complete its work in this respect and present its report to the parliament. The 19th amendment could be tabled if need be, he added. “The other options were also being considered. The work in connection with change in the procedure for appointment of judges would be finalised with a consensus. We hope no dissidenting note would come from any member of the committee in this regard,” he added.
The meeting was attended by Senator Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Babar Awan, Senator SM Zafar, Ahsan Iqbal, Sardar Mehtab Abbasi and Afrasyab Khan Khattak.The next meeting of the committee will take place on December 1.Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amir Haider Khan Hoti, meanwhile, has written a letter to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, assuring of his government’s complete support for the implementation of the 18th amendment.In the letter, Hoti said: “Despite Khyber Pakhtunkhwa passing through the most difficult phase of its history and the people and government of this province literally fighting a war for survival of this country and preservation of its democratic outlook, we believe that the 7th NFC award and the 18th amendment in the constitution are dividends of democratic dispensation and reflection of the collective political wisdom of this nation.”“They have illuminated the majestic arena of national consensus on critical issues and opportunities of mutual understanding. These unprecedented achievements are a big leap forward to the cherished dream of provincial autonomy within the framework of the constitution. The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is cognizant of its responsibilities of effectively embrace the changes ushered by the 18th constitutional amendment – Dailymailnews
