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Abolition
of concurrent list demanded
Emphasising the need
for extending greater autonomy to the federating units,
speakers at a seminar here on Monday proposed to enhance the
powers of Senate for ending disparity among the units.
The speakers suggested that the concurrent legislative list
of the Constitution should be abolished and subjects in the
federal list should be reduced.
The seminar, organised by Joint Action Committee (JAC), a
body of Various civil society groups, on the topic of
provincial autonomy, was addressed by central in formation
secretary of ANP, Haji Mohammad Adeel, general secretary of
Peshawar University Teachers Association (PUTA), Dr Sarfaraz
and Dr Fakhrul Islam.
During the second session tributes were paid to Maryam Bibi,
a female social activist and member of the National
Commission on Status of Women, who has been recently awarded
Presidential Award. Prof Ismail, Ms Rakhshanda Naz and Ms
Bushra Gohar recalled the services of Ms Maryam in the field
of economic and social empowerment of rural women.
Haji Mohammad Adeel said that his party was in favour of
extending only four subjects defence, foreign affairs,
currency and communications to the federal government.
He said that at the promulgation of the 1973 Constitution it
was agreed in principle that after ten years the concurrent
legislative list would be abolished.
He suggested that to strengthen democracy, "the role of
senate should be enhanced and it should be empowered to deal
with money bills." However, he said that they were not
in favour of bringing any changes in the Constitution by a
military government and it should forthwith either restore
the assemblies or hold general elections.
Dr Fakhrul Islam said: "There are 67 subjects in the
federal legislative list and 47 subjects in the concurrent
list, and in both of these lists the federal government can
do legislation, which is an injustice with the units."
Dr Sarfaraz highlighted various clauses of the1973
Constitution dealing with the issue of provincial autonomy.
He regretted that as compared to 1956 Constitution, the 1973
Constitution enhanced the powers of the centre.
Source: Dawn.com |
