Sindh laments federal government’s failure to give priority to NFC Award

Most lawmakers criticised Centre for adopting delaying tactics in releasing funds

KARACHI: Sindh's share in National Finance Commission (NFC) Award triggered a debate in the Sindh Assembly on Monday, where the majority of lawmakers criticised the federal government for adopting delaying tactics in releasing funds to the province and demanded a new NFC Award. The opposition members, although, did not oppose Sindh's demand for its share, expressed concern alleging that most of the funds released from federal government were being bungled by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government ministers.

The debate on this issue started on a adjournment motion filed by PPP MPA Nida Khuhro. Moving her adjournment motion, she said, "Federal government has not given priority to NFC Award in its 100 days." She called Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government a new form of dictatorial rule in the country and said that the PTI is continuing the legacy of dictators by trying to bulldoze provincial autonomy. "It is the obligation of federal government to issue new NFC Award every five years. The last ward was given by PPP government in 2010. We demand of PTI government to announce new awards and enhance provincial share from 57%," she said in her speech.



Nida, who is the daughter of PPP stalwart Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, lashed out at the federal government policies and cases against her party leadership and said, "We are not afraid of action being taken by federal government and its agencies. We are ready to face the political victimisation by PTI government".

Mohammad Hussain of Muttahida Qaumi Movement - Pakistan (MQM-P) however, supported the adjournment motion, but suggested PPP lawmakers to raise this issue in the National Assembly and the Senate. "Sindh contributes 70% resources. There is a need to protest on this issue at every forum," he said adding that provincial government after receiving its share, must implement the Provincial Finance Commission Award and give due share to its districts.

PTI MPA Bilal Ahmed questioned why PPP government in Sindh sent its nomination for NFC late.  "For the last three months, federal government was asking Sindh government to nominate its members for the upcoming NFC Award. The seriousness of Sindh government can be viewed from the fact that it sent nominations three months late," he said adding that why did the PPP government not speak on this issue when it was in federal government from 2008 to 2013.  "There is massive corruption in various departments. The auditor-general report reveals that around Rs72 billion have only been bungled in food department. Where does this money go?" he asked.

Supporting his MPA's version, Haleem Adil Shaikh said Sindh chief minister was busy in Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report which is why he could not send NFC nomination to federal government. "After three reminders they have sent the names," he said adding that Sindh government was incompetent in utilising the development budget in the province. "They are demanding a share from NFC Award, but have hardly spent 15% of the development budget in the current fiscal year," he said.

Marvi Rashdi of PPP drew the attention of the House towards federal government policies, which according to her would sink the country. "All efforts are afoot to slash provincial shares, but PPP will be a stumbling block in its way to deprive the provinces of their due share," she said.

Arif Mutafa Jatoi of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) opposed the idea to enhance the provincial share in NFC Award and said, "PPP government's credibility is at stake. They would emblaze funds rather than utilising it for development schemes."

When speaker asked whether he was against the NFC Award, he said, "No. I am not against the award, but I am against the release funds to PPP government because they steal money," while referring to the money laundering case against Asif Ali Zardari and Faryal Talpur.

Imdad Pitafi said the NFC Award was not the issue of PPP, but it relates with the people living in Sindh. "The development can only take place when the share is released from federal divisible poll and NFC Award," he said. Criticising the PTI government, he said, "The days of federal government are numbered because of their wrong policies. They rigged the last polls. In the next election it would be difficult for them to even win councillor seats."

Khawaja Izharul Hasan of MQM-P supporting the adjournment motion said that Karachi contributes a major share in the NFC Award, but it was being ignored. "It is my right to demand due share for the development of Karachi," he said adding that MQM-P would continue its struggle for rights of Karachi and other districts and demanding due share from the federal government.

Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah briefed the House about the historical perspective of NFC Award and said, "We lost Bangladesh following our refusal to give them their due share in resources. We should not repeat the same mistake. Let's join hands. We all in this house represent Sindh, so please raise your joint voice for due rights in NFC," he said concluding his speech.

After the debate on adjournment motion, the speaker adjourned session till Tuesday (today).

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2019.