Centre 'unconstitutionally' spent over $18 billion on ministries dealing with subjects devolved to provinces under 18th Amendment, Senate panel says

A Senate panel has called more than Rs5 trillion in federal spending on devolved subjects unconstitutional and ordered an immediate stop to further funding, Profit by Pakistan Today reported. The expenditure records, covering 2011 to 2026, show the Education Ministry received Rs1.1 trillion, while Water Resources, Railways and Health accounted for Rs935 billion, Rs687 billion and Rs651 billion respectively.

Committee chairman Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro said the spending exceeded $18 billion, compared with about $15 billion in IMF borrowing during the period. The panel has given the Prime Minister’s Office a final deadline to order the winding up of 17 ministries and divisions, while warning that the issue could be referred to the National Accountability Bureau over alleged misuse of authority. A Cabinet Division official said the government had sought action on the directions but had received no instructions.