KARACHI: Former senator Javed Jabbar on Saturday announced his resignation from the 10th National Finance Commission (NFC), citing “political opposition to his nomination”.
He thanked President Dr Arif Alvi, Balochistan Governor Justice (r) Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, and Chief Minister Jam Kamal Alyani for his nomination as the non-statutory member from Balochistan to the 10th NFC, as notified on May 12.
“Any citizen of Pakistan who, in the opinion of the nominating authority and the approving authority is suitably qualified, irrespective of province of residence, is eligible, as per the constitution and law, to represent any of the 4 provinces and to serve on the NFC, or any other federal or provincial body,” Javed Jabbar said in a statement.
The former senator said, “Due to my long association with the great people and province of Balochistan for the past 45 years in different public service capacities, including a 6-year tenure in the Senate, and three times as a member of federal cabinets, and in the voluntary field in the development sector, I had accepted this unsought, unexpected honour — only in order to make a humble, potentially positive contribution.
“My initial view was that even though I am not a resident of the province one could use experience in aspects of political economy and familiarity with the core problems of the province to advocate the cause of Balochistan. Several residents of Balochistan conveyed their valued felicitations and support for my nomination,” the statement claimed.
However, some political opposition has been voiced within Balochistan to my nomination, he said, adding that petitions have also been filed in the Balochistan High Court and the verdict will be announced soon.
Stressing that consensus is the cornerstone of NFC’s work and its declared awards, Jabbar stated: “Ideally, there should also be a reasonably broad political consensus within Balochistan about nominations to the NFC. If such broad consensus does not exist, then the eventual outcome, however sincerely and competently pursued, and even regardless of the benefits accruing to Balochistan from the announced award, are likely to be rejected by some — with the complaint that more should have been secured.”
“To enable representation on the basis of a broad political consensus, and to prevent prolonged opposition to the chief minister’s decision on this matter that would divert attention from the positive work being done by his government, I hereby tender my resignation from the 10th National Finance Commission with immediate effect on May 30th, 2020.
“A formal letter of resignation has been electronically transmitted/hard copy despatched by courier earlier today to the president, governor, and chief minister,” he concluded.
