ISLAMABAD: The Convenor of the Senate devolution panel, Senator Zamir Ghumro criticised that the existing population-based criteria had not ensured equitable representation of all provinces in federal services. He also criticised the lack of adequte representation of Balochistan and Sindh in boards of directors of oil and gas companies.
Senator Ghumro, who was chairing the proceedings of the Sub-Committee of the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution, directed the Establishment Division to submit, within one week, a comprehensive report on provincial representation, vacant posts and the basis for determining provincial shares in federal institutions, along with proposals to address disparities and ensure the effective implementation of the constitutional provisions.
The officials briefed the Committee that, out of 13,133 employees in the Federal Secretariat, 8,828 belonged to Punjab (including Islamabad), 1,490 to Sindh, 1,796 to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 379 to Balochistan, 366 to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, 128 to Gilgit-Baltistan and 146 to the erstwhile FATA. The Committee was also informed that 3,384 posts allocated to Balochistan were currently lying vacant.
Convenor Senator Zamir Ghumro, observed that the existing population-based criteria had not ensured equitable representation of all provinces in federal services. He sought further details on the criteria and mechanisms governing appointments and recruitment in various ministries and divisions. He directed the Establishment Division to submit to submit in one week, a comprehensive report on provincial representation, vacant posts and the basis for determining provincial shares in federal institutions, along with proposals to address disparities.
Regarding the composition of the Boards of Directors (BoD) of oil and gas companies and corporations, Senator Zamir Ghumro observed that a substantial share of oil and gas resources, particularly through Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), originated from Sindh and Balochistan, yet they do not have commensurate representation on the Board. He directed the officials to review the existing composition of the boards and ensure that provincial shareholding and representation are adequately reflected. The Ministry of Petroleum undertook to initiate correspondence with the provinces regarding their representation on the Boards of Directors of oil and gas companies, as well as the issue of their equal shares.
