Daily Times

The reconstitution of Council of Common Interest (CCI) to eliminate two ministers on the body from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is an unusual development. The two ministers have been replaced by ministers from the Punjab. It indicates that new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s policies will be no different from that of former PM Nawaz Sharif and centralisation of power will continue. At a time when there is a growing sense of deprivation among people of the smaller provinces, an equal representation of provinces should be ensured so as to eliminate the trust deficit between these and the centre. The sense of deprivation has largely resulted from the latter’s undue control over natural resources that these provinces produce. The need of the hour is to promote equality, but the latest decision does not bode well with inter provincial harmony.

The abrupt decision is particularly concerning given the CCI will soon be addressing results of the recently held population census. Also concerning is the fact that the decision came from the Prime Minister Office and not the presidency (as is the norm). Thus, the decision could be legally challenged as it is said to be in violation of Article 153 of the Constitution that says CCI appointments are to be made by the President. That the decision was made in such a hurry shows the ruling party is carrying out a drive of political consolidation ahead of the 2018 general elections instead of focusing on the issues such as energy crisis and LNG import. If the ruling party is to regain public trust (which was certainly affected in the wake of corruption allegations against Nawaz Sharif and his family), governance needs to be improved. For this to happen, a better style of management should be evolved immediately. Revamping of the CCI was needed, but the method PM Abbasi has adopted is counterproductive.  *

Published in Daily Times, August 20^th , 2017.