Red tape delaying implementation of cabinet decisions, says Gilani

[Areesh]

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday took notice of "red-tapism" and other bureaucratic hurdles in the way of implementing decisions taken by the federal cabinet.

"Red-tapism is a major hurdle in implementation of the cabinet's decisions, which in turn affect the government's popularity," the PM said, while chairing the cabinet meeting.

Since March 2008, 60 cabinet meetings have been chaired by PM Gilani. However, various decisions taken during these meetings have still not been implemented.

Official sources say the delay in implementing government decisions is mainly caused because most ministries submit their summaries before the cabinet for approval without first consulting all departments.

However, after the government approves a project, it is sent for implementation to the same departments that were ignored in the initial stage. Officials say the departments then raise objections to the approved proposal and come up with suggestions, which further delay the implementation of the project.

Katchi abadis: An official handout issued after Wednesday's cabinet meeting stated the prime minister had directed the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to expedite the survey, data collection, records and preparation of plans for regularisation of katchi abadis (slums) in the country.

The meeting also approved 12 proposals submitted by various ministries regarding bilateral cooperation with a number of countries in diverse fields. The projects include: start of negotiations between Pakistan and Nigeria in trade and investment; negotiations between Pakistan and Syria on trade, economic and technical cooperation; negotiations regarding a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Pakistan and Libya for closer cooperation between the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Trade Promotion Centre of Libya.

The cabinet also approved the Private Power and Infrastructure Board Bill, 2010 and directed the Ministry of Water and Power to include members of the Ministry of Environment and the FATA Secretariat in the board.

During the meeting, the members also approved the ratification of agreements between Pakistan and Ukraine on trade and economic cooperation and the air services agreement between Pakistan and the Slovak Republic. The meeting also approved in-principle an MoU on the establishment of Asian food and agriculture cooperation initiatives and another MoU on cooperation in the field of sanitary and phytosanitary issues related to bilateral trade between Pakistan and Argentina.

The meeting gave its approval for starting negotiations on an agreement on the promotion and protection of investment between Pakistan and Vietnam and Mexico.

The cabinet also approved the start of negotiations with Syria for entering into an agreement in the field of labour and housing.

The meeting approved the signing of the agreement for sports cooperation between Pakistan and Tajikistan and ratification of the revised charter of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

The cabinet also approved the drafts of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Bill, the Capital University of Science and Technology Establishment Bill and the Pakistan Coinage Bill.

Red tape delaying implementation of cabinet decisions, says Gilani