The report was made public during a programme titled ‘Interpreting the Change – Perceptions versus Reality’ at a hotel. PHOTO: EXPRESS
PESHAWAR:
The report of a research organisation stating the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government is relatively better than its predecessor led to a fiery response by members of opposition parties on Wednesday.
FATA Research Centre (FRC) released the report following detailed research, departmental reviews, media reports and policy evaluation. It concluded that the PTI government has managed to reduce corruption, give the public access to government departments and the right to information.
The report was made public during a programme titled ‘Interpreting the Change – Perceptions versus Reality’ at a hotel and revealed that most people were aware that jobs were on sale during the previous government’s tenure. However, it adds, the PTI-led government took necessary measures to eradicate corruption soon after assuming office.
Quoting different sources, including the media, it states that the provincial government has been doing much more for the education and health sectors, while working to reduce poverty levels by 50% in 2015.
“The government has not launched an economic policy as yet, but has introduced a number of financial reforms to increase the province’s own resources and tax to gross domestic product ratio,” the report reads, adding that reforms are still far from any realisation.
The government was lauded for the establishment of the K-P Revenue Authority, as it has been tasked to increase provincial revenues from Rs4.3 billion to Rs10 billion in the next couple of years. Moreover, the health budget has been increased from Rs7.5 billion to Rs19.1 billion in the 2013-2014 fiscal year.
“The most important step by the PTI government was the approval of a uniform education policy,” reads the report. “This is a crucial move to end the ‘education apartheid’ in the province.”
The report also states that PTI has not played a considerable role in public administration, except refraining influence in certain day-to-day matters, which also led to differences between the K-P chief minister and chief secretary.
Opposition members, including Bushra Gohar of Awami National Party expressed dissatisfaction over the report and termed it a ‘misconception’.
“The current government does not know what to do with available funds, because of which 80% of K-P’s budget will go to waste,” Gohar said, adding that the province had been plunged into darkness, while Punjab has taken over its resources.
Qaumi Watan Party’s Mairaj Humayun said they had been expecting a change, but the provincial government has not delivered, due to clashes within the leadership and with the bureaucracy, leading to the formation of the forward bloc.
“PTI had announced that they will not distribute development funds among parliamentarians, but now they are doing it,” said Mairaj, questioning how many standing committees were functional.
PTI MNA Shehryar Afridi said they will always welcome positive criticism, adding that the Sehat ka Insaf programme, Right to Information Act and soon-expected Ehtisab Commission have been widely admired by the whole country.
“In the past, the commissioner, deputy commissioner, district police officer and many other bureaucrats would never allow public in their offices,” said Afridi. “Today that has changed and everyone will see more visible changes in the next five years.”
“The most important thing PTI introduced is the Right to Public Service Act. It has panicked the bureaucracy, however, the government still lacks skilled people,” said Vice Chancellor Islamia College University Professor Qibla Ayaz. He pointed out that the police chief has admitted there is no political interference in his department and added that the University of Peshawar is also free of political influence.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 28th, 2014.
COMMENTS (15)
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@Ch. Allah Dad
What have you been smoking my friend ? Super power in 10 years under N league ? Really ? What were they doing since last 25 years ? Wake up brother, please wake up.
@Ch. Allah Daad oh yeah we know PMLN leadership very well. Those who can't even defend their country when modi, just after taking position as PM, blames his country. No mention of waters and Baluchistan intervention either. Takes his son along for his own business's sake! Metro buses and "visible" development is their only mission. Ruled the biggest province 6 times and took up the federal govt 3 times but no reforms in education, health, police and justice system. If "visible" development is just what country needs, i would prefer malik riaz instead of your so-called "leadership"
@Ch.Allah Dad .don,t worry ur mind set disappearing rapidly with awareness of massees ""))
@Fahad: Here i am. This is a fake & cooked up report. Progress in Punjab is 10x better. Under PML-N's leadership, I am confident that Pakistan will become a super-power in 10 years time. By then PTI will be history.
A Kind Request to ET to Please Post this article on the front page of Tribune. Please Please Please. I beg you ET.
I wonder why ET doesnt post 'feel good' articles like this on the front page? Maybe its too busy promoting the negative/depressing ones instead.
Something that praises PTI is published by Tribune. It made my day :)
Wah bhai Wah......PTI is the future of Pakistan. Other opposition parties must be worried if they will get any seat in the provincial assembly. I think PTI might take approx 100 seats out the 124 seats in the next election. Sweet dreams Opposition parties.
ET, Why not put this news item on the front page as you would have done for PML(N) government in Punjab. May be you don't get many ads from KP Governent.
Thank you ET for this article. I take back any thing i said against ET. Thank you again for putting a beautiful heading "Songs of Praise". Dont you think it is worth while to support a true cause. i am not telling you to be biased. But please dont report things from hearsay and non-credible info. Many Thanks. Mamu.
@Taimoor: Where are those keyboard warriors and politicians who said Tsunami had died out, who said IK is immature, who said PTI is inexperienced, who said corruption did not reduce, who said Ik was Taliban Khan, who said IK was Buzdil Khan, who said IK was Establishment Khan. They should lower their faces with shame and disgrace. Always remember, if you are out on the right path, no matter what, you will always have the support of Allah. And that support is more than enough.
@Taimoor: everyone and their mama was lying bro. For somereason most PTI critics tend to hail from Karachi.
But but but...everyone and their mama said PTI failed.
It is just the first year of coalition govt. of PTI in most difficult province which is torn by terrorism , corruption and lack of resources. If half of above is written for Punjab govt. you will see ads all over the front pages and electronic media by public money. Buck up PTI!!!!!!! Keep it up!!!!!!!!
Thank God for this. Well informed observers already knew of the grand progress made by the PTI government but previously people like me would have to write paragraphs and paragraphs summarizing KP's progress on different forums in order to defend them from all the false propaganda. However, hopefully now just posting this link will do the job. Kudoes PTI, long live IK.