The Planning Commission has failed to devise an implementation strategy for the much-triumphed new growth framework, as the institution itself runs on ad-hoc basis due to alleged infighting between the top two men, according to sources.
Despite having Rs969 million (£7 million) grant given by the Department for International Development England at its disposal, the management has not been able to devise a strategy within the stipulated time of four months, which ended in September.
The National Economic Council – the highest decision making body – headed by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had approved the new growth model on May 28. It had directed the PC to chalk out a coherent implementation plan in consultation with the provinces and other stakeholders.
The new growth strategy promises to convert the country from a security state into a welfare state by replacing a model ruined by strong government footprints in markets and red-tapism. In the words of Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Dr Nadeemul Haque “the goal is to develop a fresh narrative of growth departing from the earlier planning and project-based approaches”.
People having knowledge of the working of the PC have been saying that the fate of the new growth framework would not be different than that of Vision 2010 of PML-N and Vision 2030 propagated by General Pervez Musharraf.
“Progress has been made. There is no failure, (and) as usual people are feeding nonsense,” said Planning Commission deputy chairman when asked to comment on the progress of the new growth strategy. He, however, did not explain what progress has been made so far.
The PC’s growth framework was widely welcomed by the international community at the time of its launch. Informed sources said that international lenders have now started expressing their frustration over the delay in implementation. But Haque argues “everyone in the international scene loves the growth strategy”.
Top heads at loggerheads
The market is buzzed with rumours that the PC’s working has been affected largely by infighting between Haque and secretary planning Javed Mahmood. The reasons of the tussle were not immediately known but the secretary is sitting in his hometown, Lahore, for the past two months on pretext of illness. Dr Haque has also been out of the country himself for the past few weeks.
Sources said that on one occasion Dr Haque refused to extend secretary’s leave application that he used to send on a weekly basis. Mahmood initially went on a weeks leave but used to send an extension request every week. Haque eventually had to approve the application when the secretary attached a medical certificate describing him a victim of dengue fever, sources added.
Meanwhile, both Dr Haque and Javed Mahmood denied that there were any differences. Haque said the secretary was sick and there were no differences between them. To a question about implication of the secretary’s absence from the office, Haque said that the PC can function without anybody, as it is an organisation.
“I was sick and would soon be joining the Planning Commission,” Javed Mahmood said in an e-mail response. He, however, said that he was not aware about any progress on the growth strategy as the deputy chairman office was dealing with it.
In recent past, both the secretary and deputy chairman had exchanged hot words in the presence of the premier when Javed Mahmood raised objection over appointment of PC members at hefty packages.
Sources further said that Javed Mahmood was vying for the Secretary Economic Affairs Division post.
Independent experts also criticised the incumbent PC management for being vulnerable to political pressure and approving hundreds of projects despite knowing that these were economically unviable.
Haque admitted that in some cases he could not resist political pressure but argued “standards are being raised all the time and feasibilities and cost benefits (are) improving”.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2011.
COMMENTS (5)
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@Hammad Siddiqui: Good point.
This "new" growth framework is a costly and banal distraction. This is not the time to be massaging your ego. There is much more serious work to do.
@NS: Why is this irresponsible reporting?
Well done Planning commission. But Dr Nadeem UL Haq can not give strategy for reducing corruption, even if he can, who is going to listen to him?
Tribune Express, I am very disappointed with the quality of material. This isn't a tabloid. This is very irresponsible reporting on the newspapers part.