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Senate Orders 50% Oil and Gas Share for Producing Provinces and Halts Federal Appointments in Devolved Areas

The committee aims to restore provincial powers by forcing federal compliance through probes and tight reporting deadlines.

Overview

  • The Senate Functional Committee on Devolution, which met Friday, directed the federal government to guarantee a 50% revenue share from oil and gas produced in provinces.
  • The committee formed a sub‑committee to examine alleged violations of 2010–2011 devolution notifications and to collect complete payment records for the past 16 years.
  • The panel ordered the Establishment Division to stop appointments in subjects devolved under the 18th Amendment and to submit a compliance report within 15 days.
  • The sub‑committee told federal authorities to streamline recruitment rules and fix provincial underrepresentation on federal boards and posts, while the Petroleum Division briefed members on an existing 50/50 revenue framework whose practical implementation remains pending.
  • Senators said the federal structure has grown from nine to about 31 ministries, arguing that rescinding re‑created ministries and enforcing devolution could save billions and reduce provincial grievance over lost revenue and jobs.