PTI chief Imran Khan. PHOTO: INP
Brimming over with enthusiasm to bring change from the outset, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is yet to make its presence felt in terms of development work in the region. It has been in power for almost eight months.
The government has made little progress on the annual development programme (ADP) visualised for the fiscal year 2013-14. There are several factors, including a lack of disbursement of funds from the centre, which have resulted in the negligible gain on the ADP.
Yet, PTI’s inability to match the rapid change that it visualised in its manifesto is also to be blamed. Imran Khan’s party has adopted a very conservative path towards development, seemingly to avoid any labels of financial corruption which marred Awami National Party’s (ANP) rule in the province.
Many reasons have been cited to explain the delay in releasing funds for development work. The process to hire consultants for various departments has played a contributory factor. K-P Minister for Health Shaukat Yousufzai has said on one occasion, “We entered the government with hardly any infrastructure or good baseline for governance left by ANP.” Alluding through metaphors, the minister contended a train requires a proper railway track on which to run, and while the government needs to build that track, there is still time before things will get in to order.
A finance department officer of the Civil Secretariat revealed the PTI government has only received 25% of the total funds allocated to ADP. From the total planned budgetary outlay of Rs344 billion for the financial year 2013-14, Rs118 billion was set aside for development projects in K-P.
“So far, only departments that have hired consultants have received funds from the ADP,” added the official. Public health, irrigation and Auqaf departments have so far been successful in receiving the money. “The idea behind hiring consultants is to carry forward the development agenda, to supervise and evaluate works carried out by the government apparatus.”
Lean machinery
Another official, from the planning and development department, did not seem convinced about hiring consultants. Consultants cost and these will have to be borne by the government.
But, the official insisted, delays in utilising the ADP was only linked with the government’s efforts to take every precautionary measure against financial loopholes. “The entire process of establishing working groups for government departments, and later, the hiring of consultants, is aimed at ensuring efficient utilisation of resources – this is what took the government half a fiscal year,” he added.
Communication breakdown
Financial hiccups can also be traced to the lingering monetary disputes with the centre.
The provincial government has incessantly complained about the federal government’s attitude towards timely disbursement of outstanding dues.
As recently as December 17, the provincial finance minister Sirajul Haq complained the centre is yet to release a previous liability of Rs1.5 billion as well as Rs7.5 billion under the head of net hydel profits for the current fiscal year.
The K-P government remains displeased with what it termed “the federal government’s attempts to level the fuel price adjustment surcharge with the province” instead of ensuring power for the region. The provincial economy has not only suffered at the hands of the law and order situation in the region but also frequent and debilitating power outages.
Haq also alleged the centre harboured a hostile attitude towards K-P. While several mega development projects were planned, they are still awaiting approvals from the Central Development Working Party and the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.
During a recent news conference, the minister revealed K-P has only received Rs19 billion against a promised Rs93 billion from the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), which he said was an indication of the federal government’s “discrimination towards the province”.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2014.
COMMENTS (39)
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Imran should not have made big promises before elctions that were difficult to fulfill. Those promises increased the expectations. That is why so much criticism. Only realistic promises should be made.
PTI got seats on the basis of electables brought in the party by Establishment. Whoever joined PTI was teated as a noble and pious person. Remaining people of other parties are corrupt in the eyes of PTI supporters. But it is proved now that massive corruption is there in KPK now.
I have a question from myself. Why did I vote for PTI? I am disappointment.
Imran is a champion for his promises but he is the poorest in fulfilling those promises. What a sweet dreams that he showed us before elections. He will get the result of his poor performance in the next elections. PTI is nowhere in the country. However it is alive on social media due to its active media team.
Keeping in view the failure of PTI in kpk, I think it will be darkest day of Pakistan if imran becomes PM of pakistan.
PTI could not perform in 8 months. They cannot perform even if they are given 8 years. They dont have capable persons.
Imran should stop fooling the nation. He cannot deliver in KPK because of lack of potential. PTI has flopped badly in KPK. People of KPK now want to get rid of PTI.
PTI does not have potential to deliver due to immature politics of IK. PTI should avoid this politics of agitation and do some constructive work in KPK. PTI is busy in doing public rallies but ignoring KPK. No significant change is observed in KPK so far.
Present politics of PTI may destabiize democracy and economy of Pakistan. Imran is doing opposition for the sake of opposition. He should provide necessary support to the federal government so that challenges can be faced. Allah bless Pakistan.
Imran gethered electables and opportunists from onther perties before elections ignoring the merit. A lot of corrupt people are part of PTI. I have no hope from PTI. I am repenting on voting for PTI.
@Tribune: Rona dhona bhee zarooree hai for creating awareness.
Billions of rupees wasted by PTI in elections and afterwards in rallies but of no avail.
Given the culture of ineptitude and corruption, which act as impediment to development, and also importantly the immensity of the task, not to mention the burden of inherited problems, it is too early to impart judgment on the performance of the KP government. Give it three years for a just assessment. The spirit is good but the problems are immense.
Eradicating corruption should be the main goal, if they are doing this means they have been laying down the foundation and hopefully building will be built soon.
After failure in KPK, PTI is trying to get cheap popularity through public rallies. They are doing opposition for the sake of opposition. There is nothing constructive in their opposition. PTI is just fooling the nation and diverting from the issues of KPK.
PTI is busy in non-issues and ignoring KPK. People of Peshawar rejected PTI even after 2 months of general elections when Imran lost NA-1 Peshawar in by-elections. There are a lot of things which PTI needs to learn. But I think PTI following the wrong track. They should focus on the province but they are doing wrong politics of interfering in federal matters.
PTI is drowned in its Tsunami. IK should improve his communication skills. he always uses abusive language for others.
Rona dhona politics is the main cause of poor performance of PTI.
Question: Reason for failure of PTI? Answer: General Pasha is retired.
If IK brings laws in Kpk that makes govt more transparent and answerable to the people, than that would be good enough change for us. If the system is right, then everything else follows.
Everyone knew that PTI tall claims of turning it all round in 90 days or shortly after that were completely unrealistic and utterly ridiculous. People judge you based on your claims and that's what hurting PTI now. But even if they succeed in delivering after couple of years or so, people would easily forgive the delay. So PTI should focus on delivering rather than trying to succeed LB elections through political gimmicks like Protest against Inflation in Lahore, Bilawal House wall etc. etc.
@The Only Normal Person:
Is there any reason why you think Abdur Rauf, the writer of this article, would make excuses for the KP government?
Most of the issues in KPK will be resolved if Shehbaz Sharif is appointed CM of KPK. He is the man who works with dedication. Even opponents praise him.
These promises will remain tied up for 5 years because PTI dont have potential to perform.
@The Only Normal Person:
Facts, facts and some more facts. But hey, don't let the facts get in the way of pure, reflexive balderdash!
Lack of funds hampers ONLY certain development......there is no excuse for slow improvement in other sectors.
Excuses excuses excuses, and some more excuses.
A severly stricken province by Terrorism must take time to restructure things, you could see the legislation and making institutions strong, which is primary function of a govt in province. but many people can not understand this reality...........IK is the best option at present
I'd much rather have some delay than corruption - wastage of resources. Hopefully this will not be repeated next year since the systems would already be in place.
Local government system ensures a better way of developing infra structure. Better late than to give MPAs any funds.
its 7 months not 8
The best way of evaluation would be to do comparitive analysis of all four provinces. I often see reports on KP govt's performance, sometimes for Punjab govt as well but hardly see any reports on Sindh and Balochistan govt performance.
Blaming the Center is the oldest trick/statement in the books of politics on how to justify ones poor performance in running a provience
ET you must be aware that developmental funds are not lapsed in a current financial year. These are carry forward to the next years. I know the works department very well... There are too much corruption. For your kind information comprehensive systems for these departments are in the final stages
So ET cant resist even a day of good news about PTI's progress on education and comes up with a damage control strategy for Raiwind??
PML-N not releasing funds to KPK
shameful
If the govt is honest, doesnt matter if it takes long as people are sure that it aint going into personal bank accounts and soon will be utilized where it was intended.
You have the right to qeustion but considering the no infrastructure left by previous govt, I'l go soft on PTI govt.
Out of 93 Billion Only 19Billion released to KPK. This shows the mindset of PML-N that they dont want to do anything by themselves & restrict others as well.