Javed Jabbar to represent Balochistan in NFC award

Literary figure served as information minister during Musharraf’s govt

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal nominated a writer and literary figure Javed Jabbar for the 10th National Finance Commission (NFC) award, according to sources.

The move apparently caught the provincial finance minister unawares and left high officials of the ministry in shock over the appointment of a literary figure instead of a technical person.

Jabbar is primarily a writer and has served as Minister for Information and Media Development and as Advisor to the Chief Executive on National Affairs during the rule of General (retd) Pervaiz Musharraf.

Sources confirmed that Balochistan government has nominated Jabbar to represent the province in the 10th NFC award.

Previously, the provincial government had nominated former senior bureaucrat Mahfooz Ali Khan for the 9th NFC award. Being a technical person to deal with the affairs, Khan had a keen eye on the country’s finance and economics.

The provincial finance department was considering Khan for the nomination this year but in a surprising move the chief minister appointed Jabbar.

Balochistan finance minister could not be reached despite multiple attempts by The Express Tribune.

Sources in the finance department say Khan had presented Balochistan’s case effectively and set his precedent in front of other provinces. He had served as secretary Finance in the 7th NFC Award. On the basis of his accomplishments, the department was considering to appoint him as a member for the upcoming award.

However, in a sudden move Khan has been replaced by Jabbar which could affect the province’s position in the hard bargain which the NFC meetings entail.

Previously, Khan led the case of Balochistan forward with experience and homework on the NFC award but Jabbar, being an inexperienced member for the position, would need more time to comprehend the technical intricacies before putting up a robust case for Balochistan’s share in the federal divisible pool.

Khan was considered a bureaucrat par excellence and had served as director general of the National Institute of Management (NIM), Quetta. Before joining the Civil Service of Pakistan, Khan has also rendered services in journalism industry.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2020.