THE Federal Cabinet that met in Islamabad on Tuesday with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair took some decisions of far-reaching importance implementation of which could help resolve problems being confronted by masses and also promote good governance, a cherished objective of every government. It directed provinces to constitute Provincial Finance Commissions, expressed determination to ensure transparency in Senate elections, considered a proposal for institution of a Hajj Fund on the pattern of Malaysia, reviewed provision of solar stoves to inhabitants of Gilgit-Baltistan and directed Pakistani embassies abroad to provide legal assistance to those imprisoned in foreign jails.
All these issues have direct bearing on the life of the people but the real issue is their implementation, which has not been encouraging so far. The situation in this regard has not improved despite the fact that implementation forms an almost regular item on the agenda of every cabinet meeting. Ministries and departments usually adopt delaying tactics in implementation of the decisions on different excuses and go scot-free due to lack of proper vigilance and accountability. The matters decided and reviewed by the cabinet on Tuesday are crucial and could go a long way in providing relief to the masses provided they are executed on fast track. Provinces focus more on National Finance Commission and pay scant attention to downward distribution of resources they receive from the Federation. Provincial Finance Commissions have a mandate to devise formula for the distribution of resources among districts in order to ensure smooth functioning of the local government and reduce the level of deprivation among districts. Therefore, constitution of provincial commissions is directly relevant to ensure equitable development of all districts and regions and proper empowerment of local governments that play fundamental role in addressing problems of the people at grassroots. Backward areas can be brought at par with other regions if PFC awards are given on multiple criteria of population, revenue and backwardness. PTI has consistently been advocating for empowerment of local governments but practical measures for the purpose are lacking and the objective can greatly be achieved if distribution of financial resources is ensured down to district and union council levels.
As for Senate elections, these are due to be held in March 2021 and it would be a great service of the present government if measures are introduced to ensure transparency of the exercise, which has been made controversial in the past due to horse-trading at a massive scale. In principle, the laid down procedure is very clear and it should ensure that all parties get their share in the elections of the upper house as per their presence in National and Provincial Assemblies. However, it has been observed that loyalties are changed and remain on sale making mockery of an election that is held on a limited scale and ensuring transparency of which should not be a matter of concern. Independents constitute the core of horse-trading and a way out should be found through discussions and debates. Malaysian pilgrims to the Hajj are often noted by others to be among the best organized and most disciplined of the Holy Lands’ many annual visitors.
It is also noted that, in contrast to Hujjaj from some other countries, they are often young. Malaysian Hajj Fund is managed by a Board (called LUTH), which has branches all over the country and the Body encourages people to start saving at a very tender age to be able to go on the pilgrimage when he or she turns adult. Today, not only the rural Malays but also Malaysian Muslims from all parts of society stand proud when they hold an account with LUTH as an intending pilgrim. This makes it very easy for people to undertake the journey to the holy land in the face of rising costs. Pakistan too can benefit by adopting the same model and this is important in view of the fact that the cost is now touching five hundred thousand rupees, which an ordinary Pakistani finds it difficult to arrange. Solar stoves are being distributed in GB as part of the strategy to prevent deforestation. The initiative is laudable in view of depleting forest cover of the country but same is true of other regions especially Murree, Kotli Sattian, Kahuta, Hazara, Swat, Azad Kashmir and other areas with some forest cover where trees are mercilessly cut down for use as fuel. Therefore, the scheme needs to be launched in other areas as well and that too on an urgent basis if we are genuinely interested in saving our forests.
