Senate panel urges 50/50 split of oil and gas profits with provinces
A Senate functional committee called for provinces to receive half of oil and gas revenues or wellheads, citing the lack of a concrete mechanism under Article 172(3).
During a requisitioned meeting in Islamabad, the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution highlighted that, sixteen years after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, a functional 50/50 revenue-sharing model for oil and gas has not been established. Chaired by Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, the committee condemned procedural hold-ups by the Ministry of Petroleum and the continual referral of devolution matters to the Council of Common Interests.
It urged that provinces either receive half of the profits from oil and gas companies or be handed half of the wellheads. The committee also examined provincial representation in federal services, noting severe under-representation of Balochistan, and ordered the Establishment Division to ensure compliance with constitutional shares. A sub-committee was formed to monitor provincial shares in all grades, and show-cause notices were issued to non-attending provincial secretaries.
Why it matters
It addresses how Pakistan's provinces will share revenue from vital oil and gas resources, impacting fiscal balance and regional equity.
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