A parliamentary body has termed the federal government's expenditure of Rs2.6 trillion over the past 16 years on health and education as federal funds misuse, noting that these sectors were handed over to the provinces back in 2010. The Sub-Committee of the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution met under Convener Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro to review audit records on federal expenditures allocated to provincial responsibilities.
Addressing the committee, the convener stated that under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the federal government is legally empowered to spend exclusively on federal subjects. He questioned the legal basis of allocating public money to provincial departments, warning that total national expenditure on parallel federal entities handling provincial matters would stretch far higher.
Questions over Constitutional Authority
Citing Articles 168 and 169 of the Constitution, the sub-committee maintained that money from the Federal Consolidated Fund cannot be used for provincial matters. Senator Ghumro observed that parliamentary scrutiny must remain strict, arguing that federal funds misuse occurs whenever public money is disbursed outside clear constitutional limits.
Officials representing the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) explained that their audits rely directly on the budget figures authorised by Parliament. In response, the convener highlighted Section 8 of the AGP Ordinance, stressing that the auditor's legal duty includes verifying whether an expense covers a service explicitly assigned to the federation. The AGP was instructed to compile and submit the required financial data on a specified proforma within two weeks.
Concerns Raised over DISCOs Privatisation
The panel also took up the proposed sale of state-owned power distribution companies (DISCOs) in relation to Article 157 and provincial autonomy. The chairman questioned if the ongoing privatisation process respected constitutional limits and pointed out that electricity distribution directly impacts provincial interests, suggesting the plan may require referral to the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
The minister for privatisation defended the transaction process, saying all procedural steps had followed the National Electricity Policy 2021 after input from the provinces. The minister warned that sending the plan back to the CCI would discourage investors and compound deep financial losses caused by power theft. The committee has sought a five-year record of decisions to confirm that provincial rights remain protected.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Senate ki sub-committee ne kaha hai ke federal government ne 16 saal mein taleem aur sehat par 2.6 trillion rupay kharch kiye hain jo ke 18th Amendment ke mutabiq soobon ka mamla tha. Committee ke mutabiq yeh public paisay ka ghalat istemal hai kyunke markaz sirf apne muamlat par kharch kar sakta hai. Is audit se pata chalta hai ke awami tax ke paison ki nigrani ab mazeed sakht ki ja rahi hai.
