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Call for autonomy on the basis of 1940 resolution

‘The centre should only keep the portfolios of foreign affairs, defence, currency and communications with it and rest of the powers should be transferred to the provinces,’ said Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani. - APP/File photo

QUETTA: The parliamentary leaders of Balochistan’s coalition parties have decided to prepare a comprehensive constitutional package seeking provincial autonomy for the federating units according to the 1940 resolution.

A two-day meeting of the coalition partners discussed on Tuesday various constitutional suggestions proposed by different political parties and committees regarding the political issues of the province. Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani presided over the meeting.

‘Many proposed constitutional suggestions approved in the meeting would be included in the consensus resolution for moving in the Balochistan Assembly,’ sources said.

Discussion and consultation would continue till complete consensus on the package.

‘Balochistan’s rights will be protected through constitutional and development packages,’ the meeting decided.

Nawab Raisani said the coalition government was working to achieve provincial autonomy on the basis of 1940 resolution.

‘We will be successful in our efforts,’ he said.

He said that for extending equal rights to the federating units senate should be given financial powers, electing of prime minister and appointing of services chiefs as all the four provinces had equal representation in the upper house.

He said that highly empowered senate committees should be formed on defence, foreign affairs and currency that should be headed by provinces on alphabetical bases yearly.

All the federating units, Nawab Raisani said should be given provincial autonomy on the basis of 1940 resolution and they should have control on their natural and other resources.

‘The centre should only keep the portfolios of foreign affairs, defence, currency and communications with it and rest of the powers should be transferred to the provinces,’ he said, adding that the coalition government was preparing the resolution for constitutional package that would be sent to the federal government for parliament’s approval.

Source:Dawn.com :Report By Saleem Shahid Wednesday, 06 May, 2009