ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government this week constituted the Council of Common Interests (CCI), with the foreign minister replacing the finance chief in the decision-making body.

The CCI is a constitutional body and its members are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister. The council resolves power-sharing and other disputes between the federation and the provinces.

Members of the council include four provincial chief ministers, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, and State and Frontier Regions Minister Ameer Muqam, according to a government notification.

“In exercise of the powers conferred under Article 153 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the president, on the advice of the prime minister, has constituted the Council of Common Interests, with effect from 21st March,” read the notification dated March 25.

“This supersedes Secretariat of CCI’s notification of even number, dated 9th January.”

The CCI is the largest decision-making body in the country that decides matters like the distribution of natural resources, upon which there is a disagreement between the center and provinces.

The top forum is headed by the prime minister.