Five federal ministries including Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Ministry of Special Initiatives, Ministry of Zakat and Ushr, Ministry of Population Welfare and Ministry of Youth Affairs will be transferred to the provinces by the first week of November, while another five will follow suit before the end of the current fiscal year.
Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh stated this while speaking at a Forum of Federations gathering in the city.
The 18th amendment and the 7th National Finance Commission award have empowered the provinces and by delineating their responsibilities vis-a-vis the federation, these acts will help enhance the provinces’ capacities and their economic systems.
The cutting down of federal ministries and their devolution to provinces is not only a step in that direction, it will also help reduce public expenditure and streamline governance, said Shaikh.
Meanwhile, he reiterated that the Reformed General Sales Tax will be implemented in the spirit of value-added tax.
A final decision regarding the transfer will be made during the Council of Common Interests meeting on November 1.
A new legislation granting autonomy to the State Bank of Pakistan will also be presented in parliament’s next session.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2010.
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