Murad Ali Shah was unaware of Article 140-A, says Fawad

KARACHI, (Jun 20, 2021): Federal Information Minister, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has said that Murad Ali Shah was unaware of Article 140-A which required provinces to establish a local government system, convene provincial Finance commission and devolve, in letter and spirit, political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local governments so that basic issues of the masses could be resolved.

The federal minister while speaking at a press conference here at Karachi Press Club on Sunday said that Stressing on monitoring of development budget he said that a mechanism was in offing for monitoring of PSDP projects so that proper utilization of funds and relief to the masses could be ensured.

It seems that Murad Ali Shah was unaware of Article 140-A which required provinces to establish a local government system, convene provincial Finance commission and devolve, in letter and spirit, political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local governments so that basic issues of the masses could be resolved, he said.

“We do not expect that CM Sindh would take any measure in this regard that’s why we are appealing the Supreme Court to look into the matter and ensure implementation of Article 140-A in Sindh,” he said adding that Khaiber Pakhtunkhuwa had already constituted the Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) and the process was continue in Punjab where PFC would be announced this year.

The PTI government had issued over Rs 1800 billion in previous two years under NFC award to Sindh while Rs 700-750 billion were earmarked for the province for financial year 2021-22, Information minister said adding that despite receiving such a large amount development in Sindh and even in Karachi was not visible.

The federal government wanted PFC be constituted so that Karachi and all other districts of Sindh could get due share in the provincial resources and development budget, he explained and said that right now those funds were not being utilized properly and being transferred abroad.

PPP’s Sindh government was not convening Provincial Finance Commission neither financial resources and administrative powers were being devolved to local governments that shows that there was no democracy in Sindh and the province was under dictatorship.

The information minister said that PTI government was committed to resolve issues being faced by people of the province but PPP was creating hurdles in every positive move of federal government,
Speaking on issues of journalist fraternity, the information minister informed that PTI government was committed to provision of facilities to Journalists across the country, and relevant matters were being channelized.

He said that government has introduced amendments to reform electioneering system in parliament but opposition was convening all parties’ conference out of the ambit of parliament.

Attaching priority to elements sitting outside of parliament would weaken the democratic system, he opined and stressed that parliament was the proper forum to deal with such matters of national importance.

Prime Minister Imrn Khan floated the idea of neutral umpire in cricket and now he was advocating for a neutral election commission and such a system that would be acceptable for all, he said.

Opposition has no agenda for progress of country nor they had any foreign policy neither a economic agenda, he said. The unnatural alliance of opposition parties would not succeed in its agenda of protection of vested interests as they lack both vision and public support, he remarked.

Prime minister Imran Khan had a clear agenda for long term growth, uplift and sovereignty of Pakistan, he noted adding that economic indicators have improved, agriculture production had witnessed record increase while large scale manufacturing revived and overseas Pakistanis sent record remittances; resultantly GDP growth risen to 4 percent.

Chaudhary Fawad said that Imran Khan would lead the election campaign in Sindh and next government in the province would be formed by PTI as it was not possible for PPP to win the elections on the basis of its performance.

A package would be introduced in PM’s Housing and Kamyab Jawan programs for journalists while training opportunities for their capacity building be offered as well, Fawad said and informed that short courses of digital media would be arranged in collaboration with press clubs.

On a query regarding nuisance in National Assembly, the minister said that though sentiments were very high, it should not had taken place but situation has improved. Parliament will strengthen when all the important decisions would be taken and issues should be resolved inside the house.

But Shahbaz Sharif wanted to settle the issues out of the parliament because had no influence within PML-N and he needed backing of Nawaz Sharif or Mariam Safdar, Fawad said and observed that the party chanted slogan of honor the vote but they themselves do not respect the parliament.

On a question about distribution of irrigation water, Fawad said that PPP of Zulfiqar Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto was a federal political party but incumbent leadership of PPP was restraining it to a province. Bilawal was alleging Punjab of water theft but when IRSA suggested monitoring of water flows at entry points CM Murad Ali Shah run away.

PPP leadership was creating misperceptions and blaming others but in fact they were the real enemies of people of Sindh, he said adding that not Punjab but PPP leadership were stealing the irrigation water and depriving small growers from their share of water.