Islamabad, November 10,2026: The Senate Sub-Committee on Devolution has called for concrete measures to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions on expenditure on devolved subjects and provincial representation in federal ministries, services and corporations, particularly for Balochistan and Sindh.
The committee, chaired by Senator Barrister Zamir Hussain Ghumro, reviewed federal expenditure on devolved subjects and ministries established to deal with provincial matters and issues falling under the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
During the meeting, the convenor highlighted what he described as excessive federal expenditure and heavy reliance on borrowing, stating that federal government expenditure currently stood at around Rs19 trillion against total national tax and non-tax revenues of approximately Rs20 trillion.
Citing a report of the Auditor General of Pakistan, he claimed that the federal government had spent more than Rs5 trillion on devolved provincial subjects and ministries dealing with CCI matters, allegedly in violation of the Constitution. He said the expenditure was equivalent to more than $18 billion.
Senator Ghumro argued that proper implementation of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, including the transfer of provincial subjects to the provinces and CCI-related matters to the Council’s permanent secretariat, could have helped reduce unnecessary federal expenditure.
He further pointed out that Pakistan had received around $15 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the past 15 years, while an estimated $18–20 billion had been spent on devolved ministries and institutions during the same period.
The convenor maintained that federal funds should only be spent on subjects and services falling within the federal government’s constitutional mandate. He referred to Articles 97, 142 and 154 of the Constitution, arguing that provincial matters should not be financed through federal ministries and that executive authority over subjects listed in Part II of the Federal Legislative List rests with the CCI.
He also stressed that the Finance Ministry, Auditor General and Accountant General must ensure that public expenditure complies with constitutional provisions and that unauthorized spending is properly accounted for.
The committee was informed that the CCI and Cabinet Division had already forwarded proposals to the prime minister for abolishing 24 ministries and institutions to reduce federal expenditure. However, the convenor expressed concern over the lack of a response and directed the two divisions to submit a fresh note to the prime minister for action.
The committee also reviewed the provincial quota system in federal appointments, particularly the underrepresentation of candidates from Sindh and Balochistan.
The Establishment Division informed the committee that 5,000 vacancies for Balochistan had been advertised in line with the committee’s earlier directions to address the province’s shortfall.
However, Senator Ghumro said the committee had identified a backlog of more than 30,000 positions in Balochistan’s share and over 80,000 in Sindh’s share, stressing that the vacant positions must be identified and filled.
The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) secretary informed the committee that recruitment against the quotas of Sindh and Balochistan would be expedited, adding that the earlier backlog had been cleared and a special CSS examination had also been conducted for candidates from the two provinces.
The committee expressed concern over the limited representation of candidates from Sindh and Balochistan in senior federal positions, including federal secretaries and chief executive officers of public-sector corporations.
Referring to Article 38(g) of the Constitution, the convenor directed the federal government to submit a grade-wise report on provincial representation in grades 18 to 22 within 15 days.
He further directed that recruitment against vacant positions in grades 1 to 15 be expedited through the relevant ministries, grade 16 and 17 appointments through the FPSC, and grades 18 to 22 through the federal government and the prime minister.
The committee emphasised that practical implementation, rather than assurances, was required to address provincial disparities in federal employment.
The committee also expressed displeasure over the failure of the Ministry of Information to submit its report on the devolution of print media organisations and functions at the federal level and the development of a mechanism for granting broadcasting rights to provinces under Article 159 of the Constitution.
The ministry had previously sought one month’s time to complete the exercise.
The committee directed the ministry to finalise the outstanding matters and submit a compliance report within 15 days.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary Cabinet Division and representatives of the Auditor General of Pakistan’s office, Establishment Division, Finance Division and other relevant departments.
