Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, President SCBA (Supreme Court Bar Association) stated that under Article 153 of the Constitution, it is the responsibility of the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the government to hold the meeting of CCI (Council of Common Interests), at least once in three months. He said that the CCI has a very important role and mandate under which matters of policy for the federation and any dispute or issues arising between the provinces have to be resolved.
According to him this is a vital constitutional machinery of the federation and any delay in holding the meeting could not only be a direct violation of the Constitution and the law but will also have the serious effect on the provinces. SCBA president has advised the government that since the Chairman Senate has also repeatedly asked the government to immediately hold the meeting of the CCI, the government should do so without any further delay before the issue becomes a legal matter which may have its own consequences.
Zafar also reminded the government that previously the Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of a government on the ground that by not fulfilling the obligation regarding CCI, constitutional arrangements have been undermined and the authority of the provinces usurped.-PR