Sindhi Press Dec 8, 9-2007

Sindhi Press
Why uncertainty prevails

UNCERTAINTY still prevails. In official circles the option of postponing the election was still being weighed. It seems the demand by many politicians has made an impact. The PPP has suggested that a national government be formed and elections be postponed for six months.

If a national government is formed, the proposal for the postponement of elections will be generally acceptable. If this is not done, the arrangements for holding elections will betray the likelihood of rigging. Postponement would also remove the cause for many parties boycotting the polls and would minimise the uncertainty. If possible, a national government should be formed.

Some official quarters have hinted at the construction of big dams, which has revived unrest among the smaller provinces. Sindh, Balochistan and the NWFP have been opposing these controversial projects for decades. Raising this controversy at this stage has further increased the gulf between the centre and the already estranged provinces. When people are considered irrelevant and problems increase to intolerable levels, the crisis worsens. If people are not taken into confidence when planning the entire political process and governance, it is inevitable that space is made for dictatorship.

The opposition parties are expressing concern at the possibility of government-backed candidates rigging the elections. But there is no one to redress their grievances. This has created an unpleasant situation for many classes and parties. If elections are held in such circumstances, they will not have credibility. One can imagine the stature of the governments that will be formed.— (Dec 9)
Awami Awaz

NFC award & apprehensions

RECENTLY released official data suggest that the centre has transferred about Rs91bn to the provinces as their share in the federal revenue in the first quarter (July-Sept) of the current financial year, which amounts to less than 20 per cent of the year’s target of about Rs465bn.

The current expenditure of the federal government during this quarter stood at Rs340bn, marking a higher rate of spending. If the practice continues, the full year’s expenditure will stand at Rs1,350bn, almost 28 per cent more than the Rs1,056bn target.

According to the interim award the straight transfers to the provinces for the next year have been projected at Rs62.8bn, compared to Rs70.3bn during the current fiscal year, showing a decline of almost 11 per cent. The NFC award has remained a very contentious and controversial issue as provinces have been demanding a larger share. They have been claiming an enhancement in their share as their right.

The 20 per cent fall in the transfer of resources indicates that the economy of the country is moving in a direction that cannot be termed healthy.

Here we would like to remind the federal government that the level of development in the four provinces is not the same. The industrialisation, backwardness and poverty levels vary while the problems are compounded by factors such as migration, natural calamities and disasters which may affect some provinces more than others. These ground realities should also be considered while formulating the NFC award and the transfer of funds to the provinces. — (Dec 8)
Ibrat

— Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi