Agreement reached on Kazi formula implementation

Recorder report

ISLAMABAD: The federal and provincial governments have agreed on implementation of AGN Kazi formula for net hydel profits, sated the Prime Minister Office on Monday; however, it did not explain how much it will cost to the electricity consumers.

The agreement was reached between the federal government and provinces during a meeting of the CCI presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended by the chief ministers of four provinces.

There were reports that agreement on implementation of AGN Kazi formula will cost the electricity consumers.

The CCI meeting directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to develop a strategy in consultation with the federal and provincial governments to improve the standard of education institutions and higher education, promote uniformity and submit recommendations within one month. The meeting stressed for giving greater attention to the needs of education in Balochistan.

The Prime Minister also directed to expand Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital services to the province of Balochistan to provide health facilities, especially timely diagnosis and treatment of cancer cases, to the people.

The meeting forwarded the request of the Sindh government for additional water to the National Water Council and directed it to submit recommendations to the CCI while keeping in view the current water availability and water distribution formula among the provinces. The National Water Council was also directed to suggest proposals to prevent the wastage of water.

The CCI also directed the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms to review the electricity distribution and transmission projects in Balochistan. The meeting decided that in the light of Planning Commission’s recommendations, work will be initiated on the projects of immediate needs. The CCI also asked the chief ministers of Sindh and Balochistan to bilaterally resolve the issue of less water availability in Pat Feeder and Kirthar Canal.

The Prime Minister stated that a transparent distribution and monitoring system among the provinces should be developed so that provinces are able to get timely and accurate information about water availability. He said that inaccurate information leads to misunderstanding among the provinces.

The CCI also constituted a committee to look into the administrative and legal issues for transfer of EOBI and WWF. The committee headed by minister for inter-provincial coordination was directed to submit its recommendations to the CCI in one month.

The CCI decided to refer amendments proposed by the Sindh government on the Petroleum Policy 2012 to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet. The ECC in its next meeting, which will also be attended by the provincial representatives, will review the proposed amendments and prepare recommendations.

The federal and provincial governments also agreed to provide responsibility to the Pakistan Standard and Quality Authority to ensure one-window operation to the concerned companies for achieving uniformity in standard and quality. A committee was constituted to review the legal and administrative measures in this regard.

A task force was also established to ensure effective enforcement of regulatory authorities and the government’s writ in the provinces.

The meeting decided to start a cleanliness campaign across the country and the Prime Minister will formally launch Pakistan Cleanliness Movement on October 7, 2018. The Prime Minister said that provinces will be provided full cooperation in all matters, adding the federal government will make the CCI an effective platform to resolve the provincial issues for a strong federation.