Provincial and federal level reforms after dist govts
Dawn Monday, July 10,2000
Islamabad, July 9: The National Reconstruction Bureau’s adviser (NRB) Mohammed Ali Khan, on Sunday said the formation of district governments will be followed by reforms at the federal and provincial level such that provincial governments will be in place in year 2002.
While talking to PPI, Mr Khan said that devolution plan was the first step towards restoration of democracy and added that 80 percent powers of the provinces would be transferred to the district governments.
He said that a total of 117 district governments would be formed under the plan and that these governments would have powers to levy taxes at the local level, for which suggestions from the public would be entertained. He added that no tax would be imposed without consultation and comprehensive debate in the District Assembly.
Answering a question, he clarified that the government was not considering any proposal to form 12 or 17 provinces instead he said that number of provinces would remain four and 117 district governments would be formed. He added that the government was considering setting up of district governments in the federal capital and the tribal areas.
He said that the plan would be announced on August 14 and that the district governments would start to function after completion of local bodies elections.
He added the tenure of the local bodies would be three years and the elections would not be held in accordance with the desire of the provincial government in place.
