Peoples Works’ Programme report: MPs score modestly in schemes completion

62 legislators were unable to execute schemes despite receiving funds.

ISLAMABAD: As many as sixty-two lawmakers could not execute work on their proposed schemes after withdrawing funds totalling over Rs14.2 billion between 2008 and 2011 — a meagre 57 per cent success rate during this period.

Only 7,970 of the 13,805 schemes proposed by MNAs and senators in their respective constituencies were completed during the last three years – with a 43 per cent failure rate – according to a progress report prepared by the minister in-charge for the cabinet.

Last month, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MNA Salahuddin sought a progress report on the Peoples Works’ Programme on the floor of the house. The report says that only 57 per cent of work on the proposed schemes had been completed during this period.

The completion of work on these proposed schemes was the responsibility of the executing agencies, the report said, adding that the reasons for the delay of work are being investigated and that the position had been conveyed to the quarter concerned.

Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour proposed 39 schemes which remain incomplete despite issuance of Rs35 million in funds.

Narcotics Control Minister Khuda Bux Rajar withdrew Rs6 million from the Finance Division for three schemes, none of which are complete. Interprovincial Coordination Minister Mir Hazar Bijarani also failed to complete a single scheme despite receiving funds worth Rs20 million for his 11 proposed schemes. Overseas Pakistanis Minister Farooq Sattar did not complete his three schemes despite getting funds of Rs20 million from the ministry of finance.

Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi received Rs40 million for the completion of 18 schemes but he did not complete them. MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, the Punjab chief minister’s son, proposed 15 schemes but they were not executed, despite the release of Rs10 million. Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali’s 82 proposed schemes were not executed despite receiving Rs40 million. MNA Farah Naz Ispahani proposed 46 schemes and received Rs26 million for them, not a single one of which has been completed to date. Babar Awan received Rs30 million for three schemes which remain incomplete.

Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim is the only cabinet minister to complete all his schemes. He proposed six development schemes for his constituency during the last three years.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar completed 11 of her 35 proposed schemes. The Finance Division released Rs30 million for scheme completion, while just two of the 32 schemes proposed by former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi have been completed. The Finance Division released Rs18 million for the schemes. MNA Faryal Talpur completed one of five proposed schemes despite receiving Rs29 million for completion.

In a related development, The Express Tribune has learnt that the Establishment Division is probing 220 “ghost” employees who were reinstated under the Sacked Employees Reinstatement Act 2010 earlier this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st,  2011.