The devolution process hit another snag as the Implementation Commission failed to meet its own deadline for the third time on Thursday, following which it was decided that the third phase of the devolution of ministries to provinces will likely be completed by May 15.
The Implementation Commission’s meeting, held here in the capital, was chaired by Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister Raza Rabbani. The meeting discussed legal aspects of the three ministries to be devolved: Environment, Sports and Women Development. However, a source said, because of difference of opinion between the stakeholders, it was decided that the completion of the third phase would be postponed for another fortnight.
According to the source, it was decided that the Environmental Protection Agency would not be devolved to the provinces, and that the next meeting of the commission would be held on May 3. The source said it was also decided that divergent issues between the provinces and the centre would be taken up at the Council of Common Interest.