NFC Accord
By Naveed Khan
San Jose, CA
Credit must be given to the federal and the provincial governments on reaching an accord on the distribution of revenues. It is indeed a sincere and patriotic gesture by the people and the government of Punjab to allocate a significant portion of their share to the smaller provinces. I salute the spirit of the people of Punjab. An amiable resolution of the issue of distribution of revenues under the National Finance Commission has dogged the rule of two dictators and four intermittent democratic governments. The last time the provinces unanimously agreed on something was the Constitution enacted in 1973 under Zulifqar Ali Bhutto. Now the same party's government, although just a relic of its glorious past, has brought the provinces together to agree on a more equitable distribution of revenue.
It is also worth noting that for the first time the Federal Government has reduced its share and increased the provinces’ allocation to 56 percent of the total intake. A lot many people would not realize it, however, it is indeed a compliment to the sagacity of the PPP government to empower the provincial governments by enhancing their share of national income. It is also historic that the province of Baluchistan has been given nine percent share of the revenue whereas its population is less than four percent.
The situation in Pakistan may look desperate because of militancy, however, I believe that the democratic leadership is putting the country on the right track. First, the full restoration of the judiciary, followed by conciliatory gestures in Baluchistan, then the withdrawl of NRO from the parliament and now a unanimous agreement on the sharing of national income are all positive omens of nation building. I see good signs for Pakistan's future. I see a more cohesive and constructive approach to resolving national differences and disputes.
My wish is that the Pakistan government is able to resist the military pressure from expanding USA/NATO forces and Indian presence in neighboring Afghanistan and negotiate peace with the disgruntled and rebellious elements in Pakistan's' tribal areas. USA/NATO forces would leave, hopefully, soon; however, Pakistan has to co-exist with the same elements. A negotiated settlement is a far better approach. President Obama has made a historical error in judgment to appease the Indian lobby. He should have chosen peace and rapprochement rather than continuous confrontation and expansion of war in Afghanistan. Pakistan has a historic opportunity to show the world that peace and reconciliation is the only practical way forward.
