Mumtaz calls for confederal system

Sindh National Front chief Mumtaz Bhutto describing the local bodies elections as "putting the cart before the horse", has suggested the government start the process of devolution from Islamabad since the government at the centre "enjoys too much power and creates dictators."

In a letter sent to Lt. Gen.(R) Syed Tanveer Hussain Naqvi, Chairman National Reconstruc-tion Bureau on January, the text of which was released in Karachi yesterday, he reiterated his call for confederal system in Pakistan as envisaged in 1940 Resolution and said, "we strongly feel that there is no other salvation for this country."

There are many subjects vested in Islamabad which can be transferred to the provinces immediately such as education, local bodies, food and agriculture, health, works and so many others listed in the concurrent list of the constitution. The most important power of course, the Sindhi politician said, is to levy taxes and if such powers are not given to provinces then nothing has been given to them.

In keeping with the multi-national charactor of Pakistan and promise contained in Pakistan Resolution, financial powers must vest in the provinces, however, in order for the centre to be able to function, the powers to collect duty may remain with the centre and if this is not enough, an amount may be fixed for each province to contribute to the centre bearing in mind its own income, population and local requirements.

Mumtaz Bhutto proposed to appoint a commission, with nomination of two members from each province, to settle the overall financial package. The commission must have a period of two months in which to work out a formula, he added.

He emphasised that in order to prevent the local bodies elections from becoming the harbinger of a unitary government in Pakistan, devolution as proposed above must be completed in shortest possible time and in any case within the time fixed for the local bodies polls. The devolution, otherwise, with the centre controlling even the finances of the local bodies will become a cruel joke.

"Whether we like it or not, Pakistan is a multi-national state constituted by the Sindhis, Balochis, Pashtoons, Punjabis and previously Bengali people. Every effort to mould it into a nation state has failed. The components are all nations which have been independent in the past and the British conquered and made them part of the mosaic of India.