LAHORE – The Punjab government will get six more federal ministries in the second phase of devolution after the 18th Amendment, Pakistan Today has learnt.
The federal ministries which are being devolved to the provinces comprise the ministries of education, special education, tourism, social welfare, culture and livestock. In the first phase of devolution, ministries of population welfare, local government and rural development, zakat and ushr, youth affairs and special initiatives were handed over to the provincial departments.
The buildings and employees of the federal government working across Punjab were handed over to the respective provincial departments; however the federal government employees in the capital were put in the surplus pool. The federal implementation commission sorted out different outstanding issues with the departments before a final meeting of all four chief ministers with the prime minister who presented it to his cabinet before its implementation in letter and spirit.
Sources said that groundwork was being done in respective provincial departments regarding taking over of new responsibilities. The law and finance departments are also involved in the process along with the implementation and coordination wing.
A senior government official, seeking anonymity, said the federal government has only indicated the devolution of another six ministries, while modalities will be finalized in meetings, as was carried out in the first phase.
