Editorial
The Council of Common Interests (CCI) is a constitutional body formed under the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan to resolve disputes between the federation and the provinces and formulate and regulate policies on matters of common interest. The CCI consists of the Prime Minister as the chairman, all four provincial chief ministers, and three members nominated by the Prime Minister.
The significance of the CCI increased after the 18th Amendment, which was passed in 2010 with unanimous support from all political parties in the Parliament. The 18th Amendment abolished the Concurrent Legislative List, which contained 47 subjects on which both the federal and provincial governments could legislate. With this abolition, the provinces gained exclusive powers to legislate on these subjects, except for the items that were shifted to Part I and Part II of the Federal Legislative List. Federal legislative list part II is the prerogative of CCI, and it includes items such as railways, electricity, legal, medical and other professions.
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The 18th Amendment also added more subjects to Part II of the Federal Legislative List, which are matters of common interest requiring the CCI’s approval. These subjects include railways, mineral oil and natural gas, census, higher education, standards in institutions for higher education and research, scientific and technical institutions, inter-provincial matters and coordination, Council of Islamic Ideology, National Economic Council, Federal Shariat Court, Election Commission of Pakistan, National Finance Commission Award, supervision and control over related institutions.
The CCI is responsible for formulating and regulating policies on these matters and exercising supervision and control over related institutions.
The CCI can also resolve disputes between the federation and the provinces or among the provinces regarding their rights to water from any natural source or electricity. The decisions of the CCI are expressed in terms of majority opinion and are appealable in the Joint Session of the Parliament. The 18th Amendment also made it mandatory for the CCI to meet at least once in ninety days.
The CCI thus plays a vital role in ensuring provincial autonomy and inter-provincial harmony in Pakistan. It provides a platform for dialogue and consensus-building among the stakeholders on issues of national importance. It also promotes cooperative federalism and good governance in the country. The CCI has been hailed as a landmark achievement of the 18th Amendment that strengthened the federation and enhanced democracy in Pakistan. Furthermore, All Pakistan services should also be formed on the exclusive subjects of CCI for the proper disposal of functions of the subjects of CCI.
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