In the wake of the 18th Amendment, health was made a provincial subject rather than a federal one. Hence, donations received from world bodies such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, among others, should be distributed among the provincial governments under the NFC award as per the said formula. Let the provinces plan, legislate, regulate services, finance service delivery, improve human resource production and service delivery programming so as to overcome the coronavirus crisis.
The prime minister is requested to direct the relevant federal ministries and other bodies to ensure fair distribution of financial and other assistance to the provinces. However, principles of justice require that no province should be given step-motherly treatment at least in these calamitous times.
Hashim Abro
Islamabad