PTI achieves significant improvement in governance

[Mirza Ghalib]

PTI achieves significant improvement in governance

ZULFIQAR AHMAD

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has made a significant improvement in governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa compared to other provinces to streamline the centuries’ old corrupt Patwari system, an anecdotal survey carried out by Business Recorder revealed.

The PTI leadership has successfully brought down the Partwari fiefdom by computerizing land records throughout the province, besides putting in place an effective mechanism enabling the government to keep a vigilant eye on land mafia and Patwaris.

Background discussion with political experts, educationists, etc revealed that there has been some progress in reducing corruption and nepotism during the first two years of the PTI government in KP.

Another milestone in the KPK during the tenure of the incumbent government is the de-politicization of the police force with no interference by any minister, chief minister or even by Imran Khan himself.

There is absolutely zero tolerance policy against corruption, they said, adding so far over 150 corrupt police officials right up to DSP rank and down to constable have been terminated and scores demoted on complaints of corruption and misuse of power.

The KP Police has initiated fast track promotion policy for promotion to the rank of sub-inspector & inspector through provincial Public Service Commission.

The government has also introduced an online FIR system, the first of its kind in Pakistan, through which a person can launch an FIR against anyone and the police are bound to respond after verification.

The recruitment of police through National Testing Service (NTS), they added, was also enforced for the first time in the province as earlier there was no concept of recruitment in police without greasing the palms of high-ups.

The KPK government fills all vacant positions on merit and through the NTS, which has given a ray of hope to those with no resources or backing.

The provincial government has also taken a lead in legislation. Twenty five new bills have been passed by the KP assembly so far. The Right to Information Bill has been updated by the PTI which is a huge step towards transparency in governance. The bill gives the people of the KP the right to access all information online.

Right to Services Act gives the right to KPK residents to ask questions about any public matter and the relevant official is bound to answer that question in a prescribed time period. Any citizen can also file a complaint against officials who do not comply with the prescribed time-period.

Health sector performance has also improved significantly during the last two years. Medicine and treatment is now free in all government hospitals of the KP and the government has also launched a campaign called “Sehat Ka Insaf” that aims to fight against polio. So far, 1.3 million children have been immunized as part of this campaign.

The PTI has formulated a plan that would bring about a fundamental change in education. The government has recruited 8000 teachers and recruitment of a further 6000 teachers is still in process and all the recruitment will be done through the NTS.

Plans of a mammoth project of an education city are underway where the people can choose from a variety of professions and fields. Independent monitoring systems have been introduced to ensure attendance of both teachers and students.

‘Tameer-e-Millat School’ project is another campaign started by the PTI government to raise funds for the KP schools that are in truly deplorable conditions and details of missing facilities in the schools are given online. Donors can choose to fund a particular school and have the right to check if their funds are being used for the purpose they were intended.

After declaring an ‘education emergency’ in the province, an enrolment campaign was launched by Imran Khan called ‘Parho Aur Zindagi Badlo’ or study and change life. Approximately 0.3 million children have been enrolled in schools, as part of this project, to help secure a brighter future for the people of the KP.

To encourage female education, the provincial government has decided to pay a monthly stipend of Rs200 to every school-going girl, to encourage parents to educate their daughters. This, according to some educationists, will help increase the female literacy rate in the province. The provincial government is also making efforts for a uniform education system. And distribution of free books in schools is also a new initiative.

The KP government has also made efforts for the protection of rare species.

The local government system, for which elections are scheduled for May 30, would be the biggest achievement of PTI provincial government as it will empower the people at grass root level, analysts maintain.

[Mirza Ghalib]

As Imran himself acknowledged in his KPK jalsas yesterday, PTI has so far not achieved the high level of job creation it had aimed at originally. But there's no doubt in my mind that given its newly gained experience and self confidence, the economic sector will also take off in days ahead.

We wish PTI good fortune in the coming LB elections. When the results come out, a new page will have been turned in this history of KPK, a new and exciting chapter begun in the history of Pakistan.