QUETTA – The historic 7th National Finance Commission Award was signed on Wednesday by the representatives of Federal Government and four provinces at a simple but dignified ceremony held in port city of Gwadar which is deemed a great step to bolster the Federation.
The historic ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, members of Federal and Balochistan Cabinets.
Under the NFC Award, provinces will get 56 per cent share from the federal revenues and 44 per cent share has been allocated for the Centre. Under the new formula, the Federation and the provinces of Punjab, Sindh and NWFP realised the difficulties of Balochistan and agreed to provide the province 83 billion rupees (9.09 per cent) of the provincial pool.
Addressing the gathering after the historic signing of the NFC Award, Prime Minister Gilani congratulated the nation, federal minister for finance and chief ministers of the four provinces for reaching a consensus on the Award. “The Federal Government is committed to empower all four federating units and they will also be given provincial autonomy which will further strengthen the country,” he added.
He assured the 17th Amendment and 58-2B would be abolished as a constitutional committee was working in this regard. He said they would remove restrictions on becoming prime minister for the third time. He said 1973 Constitution was an achievement of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto which strengthened the Federation and added that incumbent government was firmly believed in politics of reconciliation. “Consensus after 19 years over NFC Award is a proof of the success of our reconciliatory policy,” the Premier maintained.
He pointed out the country would develop only if all institutions work within their limits and the government was committed to eradicate corruption from the country.
Regretting the toppling of democratic governments, Gilani said that Ayub Khan had disqualified all the politicians who had played a significant role in creation of Pakistan. He said former President General (r) Musharraf removed the government of Nawaz Sharif on charges of kidnapping.
He said Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was a big supporter of the Federation but he was brutally murdered and stressed that those who were responsible for his murder must be tried in a court of law.
He said the objective of his visit was to consider the problems of the area, adding that all measures would be taken to resolve the issues of Balochistan on priority basis. “The government believes in taking along the smaller provinces,” he said, adding the government would continue its efforts to restore Balochistan’s economic and political rights.
He said making Gwadar Port functional would usher in an era of progress and prosperity for the province.
Gilani said 20,000 applications had been submitted including 350 applications from females under Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan Package and assured that the government would accommodate 20,000 jobless graduates from Balochistan which would help alleviate poverty from the province.
He said the government would set up technical centre in Gwadar to train the locals and to ensure they would be given preference in all jobs.
The Prime Minister said the work on the completion of an international airport in Gwadar would be done on priority basis and directed the Finance Minister to expedite release of funds.
He announced construction of a girls college with a hostel in Gwadar, while the Minister for Overseas Pakistanis announced to fund construction of a school in Gwadar.
He directed the Chairperson of Benazir Income Support Programme to visit the area and ensure that the needy people should get access to this scheme. He also directed the ministers to visit the areas regularly to solve the issues of the people.
Gilani appreciated Balochistan government for hosting the historic event.
Shaukat Tarin said it was a historic day in the countryÂ’s history as after 19 years all the units and the Federation inked 7th NFC Award after evolving consensus on it.
He said there was trust deficit between the Federation and the provinces, and in order to eliminate this lack of trust all issues were put forth on the negotiating table and ultimately we reached an agreement.
Tarin said the provinces would get Rs227 billion extra in the next fiscal year under new NFC Award, saying that the award is the victory of democracy. He said that the amount would touch the figure of Rs1,250 billion in the next five years.
Praising the role of Punjab government, the minister said that the signing of Award was made possible due to the flexibility shown by Punjab.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said Balochistan Package would heal the wounds of Baloch people that were inflicted by the assassination of Nawab Akbar Bugti and stressed the political problems of the province be addressed.
He maintained justice should be delivered to Balochistan and the killer of Bugti should be brought to justice.
Shahbaz said the politicians were sent into forced exile and executed but those who dismembered the country and murdered Nawab Bugti were never questioned.
He said Gwadar would bring prosperity not only to Balochistan but also to the entire country. “This is the gateway to development of the country and it would bring investment in coming years,” he added.
He said India was creating problems in Balochistan and urged that this issue should be raised with New Delhi.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said the NFC Award was a gift of democratic process which would further strengthen relations between the Centre and the provinces. “If we can develop consensus on NFC Award then why not on other political problems,” he asked.
He appreciated the role of Punjab for showing flexibility regarding the new NFC Award and said it would be based on population, backwardness, poverty and revenue generation.
He said all four provinces had worked together for the solidarity of the country. “Though we had some differences over the distribution formula of NFC Award but we all solved it with consensus,” he said.
Addressing the occasion, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani said it was a great honour to welcome all guests in the beautiful town of Gwadar which was going to be the future hub of countryÂ’s economy.
He said the dictatorial regime failed to solve this issue and the democratic government had the honour to make NFC Award a reality.
He urged complete provincial autonomy for all federating units and said he had a firm belief that it would further strengthen the Federation. He requested the PM for restoration of magistracy system which would help solve many issues.
NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti said Gwadar was the future of Balochistan and the country.
He said NWFP was fighting war of defence of Pakistan and expressed the hope terrorism would be wiped out from the country.