CHAPTER 3 - SPECIAL PROVISIONS

152A.

153. Council of Common Interests.

(1) There shall be a Council of Common Interests, in this Chapter referred to as the Council, to be appointed by the President.

(2) The members of the Council shall be-

(a) the Chief Ministers of the Provinces, and

(b) an equal number of members from the Federal Government to be nominated by the Prime Minister from time to time.

(3) The Prime Minister. if he is a member of the Council. shall be the Chairman of the Council but, if at any time he is not a member, the President may nominate a Federal Minister who is a member of the Council to be its Chairman.

(4) The Council shall be responsible to Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).

154. Functions and rules of procedure.

(1) The Council shall formulate and regulate policies in relation to matters in Part II of the Federal Legislative List and, in so far as it is in relation to the affairs of the Federation, the matter in entry 34 (electricity) in the Concurrent Legislative List, and shall exercise supervision and control over related institutions.

(2) The decisions of the Council shall be expressed in terms of the opinion of the majority.

(3) Until Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) makes provision by law in this behalf, the Council may make its rules of procedure.

(4) Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) in joint sit ting may from time to time by resolution issue directions through the Federal Government to the Council generally or in a particular matter to take action as [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) may deem just and proper and such directions shall be binding on the Council.

(5) If the Federal Government or a Provincial Government is dissatisfied with a decision of the council, it may refer the matter to Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) in a joint sitting whose decision in this behalf shall be final.

155. Complaints as to interference with water supplies.

(1) If the interests of a Province, the Federal Capital or the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, or any of the inhabitants thereof, in water from any natural source of supply have been or are likely to be affected prejudicially by-

(a) any executive act or legislation taken or passed or proposed to be taken or passed, or

(b) the failure of any authority to exercise any of its powers with respect to the use and distribution or control of water from that source,

the Federal Government or the Provincial Government concerned may make a complaint in writing to the Council.

(2) Upon receiving such complaint, the Council shall, after having considered the matter, either give its decision or request the President to appoint a commission consisting of such persons having special knowledge and experience in irrigation, engineering, administration, finance or law as he may think fit, hereinafter referred to as the Commission.

(3) Until Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) makes provision by law in this behalf, the provisions of the Pakistan Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1956, as in force immediately before the commencing day shall apply to the Council or the Commission as if the Council or the Commission were a commission appointed under that Act to which all the provisions of section 5 thereof applied and upon which the power contemplated by section 10A thereof had been conferred.

(4) After considering the report and supplementary report, if any, of the Commission, the Council shall record its decision on all matters referred to the Commission.

(5) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, but subject to the provisions of clause (5) of Article 154, it shall be the duty of the Federal Government and the Provincial Government concerned in the matter in issue to give effect to the decision of the Council faithfully according to its terms and tenor.

(6) No proceeding shall lie before any court at the instance of any party to a matter which is or has been in issue before the Council. or of any person whatsoever, in respect of a matter which is actually or has been or might or ought to have been a proper subject of complaint to the Council under this Article.

156. National Economic Council.

(1) The President shall constitute a National Economic Council consisting of the Prime Minister, who shall be its Chairman. and such other members as the President may determine:

Provided that the President shall nominate one member from each Province on the recommendation of the Government of that Province.

(2) The National Economic Council shall review the overall economic condition of the country and shall, for advising the Federal Government and the Provincial Governments, formulate plans in respect of financial, commercial, social and economic policies; and in formulating such plans, it shall be guided by the, Principles of Policy set out in Chapter 2 of Part II.

157. Electricity.

(1) The Federal Government may in any Province construct or cause to be constructed hydro-electric or thermal power installations or grid stations for the generation of electricity and lay or cause to be laid inter-provincial transmission lines.

(2) The Government of a Province may-

(a) to the extent electricity is supplied to that Province from the national grid, require supply to be made in bulk for transmission and distribution within the Province:

(b) levy tax on consumption of electricity within the Province;

(c) construct power houses and grid stations and lay transmission lines for use within the Province; and

(d) determine the tariff for distribution of electricity within the Province.

158. Priority of requirements of natural gas.

The Province in which a well-head of natural gas is situated shall have precedence over other parts of Pakistan in meeting the requirements from the well-head, subject to the commitments and obligations as on the commencing day.

159. Broadcasting and telecasting.

(1) The Federal Government shall not un reasonably refuse to entrust to a Provincial Government such functions with respect to broadcasting and telecasting as may be necessary to enable that Government-

(a) to construct and use transmitters in the Province; and

(b) to regulate, and impose fees in respect of, the construction and use of transmitters and the use of receiving apparatus in the Province:

Provided that nothing in this clause shall be construed as requiring the Federal Government to entrust to any Provincial Government any control over the use of transmitters constructed or maintained by the Federal Government or by persons authorised by the Federal Government, or over the use of receiving apparatus by person so authorised.

(2) Any functions so entrusted to a Provincial Government shall be exercised subject to such conditions as may be imposed by the Federal Government, including, notwithstanding anything contained in the Constitution, any conditions with respect to finance, but it shall not be lawful for the Federal Government so to impose any conditions regulating the matter broadcast or telecast by, or by authority of, the Provincial Government.

(3) Any Federal law with respect to broadcasting and telecasting shall be such as to secure that effect can be given to the foregoing provisions of this Article.

(4) If any question arises whether any conditions imposed on any Provincial Government are lawfully imposed, or whether any refusal by the Federal Government to entrust functions is unreasonable, the question shall be determined by an arbitrator appointed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

(5) Nothing in this article shall be construed as restricting the powers of the Federal Government under the Constitution for the prevention of any grave menace to the peace or tranquility of Pakistan or any part thereof.