Introducing Corporate Culture in Planning Commission

During the first meeting of the restructured Planning Commission held on 28th July 2006 under the chairmanship of Prime Minister of Pakistan, it was noted that the Projects Wing does not have adequate financial/human resources to monitor the huge development programme. Accordingly, it was agreed to strengthen the Projects Wing subsequently, a project titled “Monitoring of PSDP Financed Projects” was approved by the CDWP at a cost of Rs 131 million in September 2006. Under this project, Planning Commission has taken the initiative to make a transition from  ureaucratic culture to corporate culture. As part of this effort, the presently hired 3rd floor Chughtai Plaza was renovated and officers and staff recruited under the project were housed there by introducing corporate culture. The renovation and furnishing of the 3rd floor Chughtai Plaza along with furnishing and purchase of furniture was completed in a record time of 80 days. The project has been fully functional since 20th May, 2007.The working environment in the renovated area is characterized by professionalism, increased interaction and better space use. This has contributed to enhanced efficiencies of the Project Wing. During 2006-07, 474 projects were monitored, while during the first half of 2007-08 , 766 projects have already been monitored.

Result Based Management (RBM)

Result Based Management (RBM) or Managing for Development Results (MfDR) is a management approach/tool which aims at improving the planning, monitoring and evaluation of development project activities as well as feedback of information gained for learning and improved future planning through a better decision making. RBM combines a coherent framework for development effectiveness with practical tools for strategic planning, risk management, progress monitoring and outcome evaluation. A high level study mission led by Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Muhammad Zubair , Member (Implementation & Monitoring) and comprising of Mr. Junaid Iqbal Ch., Additional Secretary, EAD, Mr. Saleem Pervez Siddiqi, DG Projects Wing and Mr. Abid Farooq, Director MIS, Projects Wing visited Malaysia from 12-20 May, 2007 to study the Malay Model in the context of RBM. Delegates from Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka also participated. Based on the visit, it was decided to adopt RBM approach in the preparation of future development projects. In a presentation made on RBM to the Deputy Chairman on 10th January, 2008 by Member (I&M), the importance of RBM and the need to redefine development targets through suitable organizational changes in the Planning Commission as well as the related procedures were discussed. A major development was the decision to incorporate RBM indicators in the PC-I Performas. Secondly, monitorable performance indicators of a project will be indicated in quantifiable terms and the term ‘impact’ will be replaced by the term ‘target impact’. It was also decided to impart training on RBM framework to officers of Planning Commission, the line Ministries as well as the provincial planning and development departments.

Food Inflation in Pakistan

As part of its think tank activities, the Planning Commission has recently prepared a working paper on food inflation in Pakistan, among others, to assess where Pakistan stands in today’s competitive market in relation to food inflation. This working paper identifies factors and variables that need to be kept in view to tackle the food inflation. Inflation, as measured by CPI, remained below 5 percent during the period 2000-04 but jumped to double digits in 2004-05 and 2006-07. The study indicates that the on-going inflationary process is fed by high fiscal deficits, monetization of fiscal deficits, massive public sector investment, inflationary effects of increases in prices of imported inputs and increase in world prices of major imported inputs (particularly crude oil). The study identifies remedies to rectify the on-going food inflation, keeping in view the perspective of the international market.

Digital Library-Another Milestone Achieved

Planning Commission Library has recently acquired 400 new books and a large number of international research journals. The Library is spending more than two million rupees annually on the purchase of selected material to support development planning and research at the Planning Commission. The subscribed international research journals are in addition to the 20000 on line journals accessible through the HEC National Digital Library Program. A milestone has been achieved by the Library through digitization. All the Fiver Year Plans of the country have been digitized and uploaded on the website. Planning Commission Library catalogue is also accessible on the internet. The digitization of Annual Plans and Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) is also underway. This initiative, which is expected to facilitate the policy planning and  evelopment research-oriented tasks I the country, has been widely appreciated. 

Prime Minister’s Energy Task Force (ETF) Expresses High Concerns Regarding The Increasing Power Crisis

The 8th meeting of Prime Minister’s Energy Task Force held on 5th of January 2008 was chaired by the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Dr. M. Akram Sheikh. The agenda of the meeting included review of Power development plans, tariffs and load management issues, status of coal development plans and policies including upfront tariff. The reasons behind the power crisis were listed out as shortage of water in dams, sabotage to transmission towers and transmission lines ,lack of transportation of fuel oil due to damages, and non-availability of sufficient Natural Gas. The increase in the demand of gas led the Government of Pakistan to look into the energy sector on a broader perspective. While addressing one of the issues regarding the Gas consumption, the Deputy Chairman emphasized that the industries should also cooperate and devise a plan for efficiency increase and optimal utilization of Gas. Concerned Ministries were advised to set up strong technical teams to work with the Industry to undertake the needed investment of time and equipment, which is in their own interest. It was stressed upon all stakeholders that energy efficiency will enhance profitability and competitiveness. During the meeting several recommendations were finalized for submission including rationalization of petroleum product prices, formulation of the pricing policy by the Government, enhancement of efficiency in Gas consumption in residential transportation and Industrial sectors, and fast-tracking of Thar Coal mining and power generation. Task force also asked the Petroleum Minister to expedite coal mining facility at Thar through Joint Ventures.