The solution to this is that such projects should be handled through public-private partnerships (PPP)
KARACHI: The failure of our governments, be they federal or provincial, in providing basic facilities (education, health and infrastructure) to the public has been evident from the prevailing scenario in the country. It has been proven that governments, be they military or democratic, have failed to provide for the public for the past 67 years. Many people may disagree with my opinion, but one simply cannot alter the existing reality of our federal or provincial development schemes, which usually end up resulting in those in power pocketing their funds while the people who they are supposed to serve continue to suffer. After Partition, the colonial laws which were enacted to ensure the iron-clad writ of the then colonial masters were undone to some extent in India, but this did not really happen in Pakistan. These structures and old laws made the delivery of services more and more tedious.
However, despite the inherent impediments of the law, even if the government successfully executes any of the current projects, such as the BRTS in Lahore, the various motorways, the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Youth Development Programme, and the BISP, these could make a great difference. However, so far our successive governments have failed in financing, maintaining and delivering the desired end result due to their inefficient mode of procurement for these projects, in which the authorities merely invite tenders for erection, procurement and construction of projects, while ignoring their operation and maintenance. Any development scheme/project meant for public benefit ends up rotting and people are unable to enjoy their benefits in the long run.
The traditional mode of procurement for government-run projects has a lot of shortcomings, which are usually exploited by the officials involved. The solution to this is that such projects should be handled through public-private partnerships (PPP). A PPP is a government service or private business venture, which is funded and operated through a partnership of government and one or more private sector companies. Pursuing such ventures will ensure the speedy completion of projects and the reliable delivery of services to the people.
Syed Aqib Ali Shah
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2015.
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