CCI’s Petroleum Exploration Policy Blocking Billions of Dollars in Foreign Investments

A meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution was held in Islamabad today to discuss the effectiveness and potential role enhancement of the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

The committee addressed concerns regarding CCI’s restructuring of petroleum reserve exploration policies, which have deterred investment from companies willing to invest billions of dollars.

The committee said CCI is not accountable to the Senate Functional Committee and questioned the accountability structure.

The meeting was briefed that there were 15 vacancies within the CCI, which currently operates with 23 employees out of the required 38. Positions such as the Joint Secretary and Deputy Secretary remain unfilled.

The CCI, described as a federal cabinet-style body, oversees unresolved issues between provinces and monitors departments under the federal legislative list. Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro criticized the bureaucracy for being irresponsible and transferring burdens onto others. He also pointed out that 13 CCI employees are on deputation while 15 posts remain vacant.

The committee sought performance reports from CCI officials and requested the Ministry of Law and Justice to give its opinion on the matter.