Amid a worsening fiscal situation in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, adversely affecting its development portfolio, particularly so in the second half of the current year, the provincial government has taken exception to what it terms the federal government’s strong arms tactics to deny its funds, leaving it unable to pay for the salaries of the public servants.
As the controversy over the fund release has complicated the already constrained relations between the provincial and federal governments, the latter has brought out its brand new five-year plan focusing on the development needs of the poorest districts of the country, leaving the province high and dry. As such, the KP’s Chief Minister, Mahmood Khan, while speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, did not mince his words, saying the center has withheld its funds to create financial instability in the province. Taking a pinch at the federal government, he said that the shortage of funds has badly affected the development projects since the 14-party coalition assumed power at the center.
Notwithstanding the paucity of funds, the federal ministry of planning, development and special initiatives has revealed to have formally engaged the lawmakers from the 20 poorest districts and sought their input before the execution of projects under the new five-year plan. The selected 20 districts include 11 districts from Balochistan, five from Sindh, three from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one from Punjab. Many of these districts have been directly affected by the recent flood disaster, especially in Balochistan and Sindh.
It is noted that the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) headed by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal had already approved the project. The minister has said that a study will be conducted in each of the 20 districts in order to know the critical needs in education, health, infrastructure and other sectors.
However, he said that this is the first time in the country’s history that 20 poorest districts have been identified and lawmakers from these areas appreciated the efforts and shared their recommendations to engage the concerned communities in the development process before execution of the projects under the new five-year plan (2022-2027).
Member social sector and devolution planning development and special initiatives Rafiullah Kakar briefed the lawmakers from the 20 districts to prioritize the uplift projects on need basis. “After consultation with lawmakers and development experts, the planning ministry will engage the community representatives before execution of the project,” said Kakar.
As the gulf of differences has widened between the federal government and the provinces, it is high time that an effective framework should be put in place to bridge the differences and address development needs of the provinces an amicable manner.
