The Reform Working Group on Policy and Operation Boards, a think tank and task force, constituted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Planning and Development Department, on Tuesday finalised outline recommendations on restructuring of the P&D Department. The report will now be presented to the chief minister for approval.
The team leader of the group is Agriculture and Environments P&D Department head Javed Iqbal, while Finance Additional Secretary Bashir Khan, Chief Economic Analyst Mian Asim Ismail, Director IBMS/ Registrar Agricultural University Dr Muhammad Zulfiqar, Assistant Chief Agriculture P&D Qaisar Alam, Research Associate/Training Coordination Officer PARD Muhammad Arshad and Additional Director P&D Agriculture University Rizwan Ahmad are among the active members. In Tuesday’s meeting the group deliberated on the relevant issues and finalised a draft.
The group recommended that the P&D Department be replaced with the Economic Policy Implementation Commission (EPIC) which would ensure rapid and sustainable economic growth. The group highlighted detailed functions of the EPIC and recommended that the EPIC would improve public service delivery, governance and cost-effectiveness. It will also facilitate the implementation process, improve key economic indicators and reduce poverty and economic disparities.
The group also proposed establishment of a Centre for Strategic Planning and Economic Policy Development (CSPEPD) to serve as a leading economic research think tank of an international repute by providing critical research based policy inputs on sustainable development and economic growth. The group further proposed setting up of the Economic Development and Planning Policy Board (EDPPB) which will ensure sustainable, people-centered and inclusive economic development through effective strategic policy planning and direction.
