News Detail
Event Title: Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, presiding over a meeting of The Senate Functional Committee on Devolution at Parliament Lodges Islamabad.
Event Date: 2026-04-15
The Senate Functional Committee on Devolution, chaired by Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, convened at Parliament Lodges to address critical lapses in institutional safety and constitutional compliance regarding provincial representation. The Committee expressed formal displeasure regarding the absence of federal ministers and secretaries.
A primary focus of the committee proceedings involved the systemic failure of higher education institutions to implement robust anti-harassment frameworks. Senator Ghumro cited the tragic passing of Fahmida Laghari as a definitive failure of the current protective infrastructure. While HEC officials disclosed that 472 cases have been recorded—resulting in the dismissal of 53 faculty members
The Committee characterized these measures as reactive rather than preventative. COMSATS representatives provided a briefing noting that 19 from 20 reported cases across their seven campuses were settled between 2023 and 2025, though the Committee maintained that broader institutional accountability remains insufficient.
On the matter of provincial equity, the Committee issued a directive for the immediate enforcement of employment quotas as per the equal share mandated by Article 38(g) of the Constitution. The Committee directed to the Establishment Division on their brief submitted in the committee, that it has to be instructed all Minustries and Divisions to constitute a special Committees to monitor Provincial Shares in Federal Services and Corporations and make up for the last Omissions by filling in positions first from those Provinces.
The Committee also deliberated on the ongoing challenges of devolution within the energy and education sectors. Members formally recorded their disagreement with the Cabinet Division’s current policy framework regarding Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs). Consequently, the Attorney General and the Privatization Commission have been called to the next committee meeting to develop a framework consistent with devolved authority. In closing, Chairman Ghumro reaffirmed that the HEC must operate within its post-18th Amendment constitutional boundaries, emphasizing that federal bodies cannot infringe upon provincial educational jurisdiction. All relevant departments are now mandated to submit regular compliance reports to ensure these directives are executed in letter and spirit.
The committee meeting was attended by Senators Poonjo Bheel, Saeed Ahmed Hashmi and senior officials from concerned departments.