PM forms body to reform ETPB

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to bring institutional reforms and changes in the legal framework and governance to improve the functioning of Evacuee Trust Property Board.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a committee, headed by Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazir Tarar, for the purpose. Other members of the committee include the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony secretary, Evacuee Trust Property Board chairman, an expert from the Ministry of Law, one representative each from the Board of Revenue of the four provinces, CEO Punjab Urban Unit, Member State CDA and CEO P3A.

The committee will review the operations and business processes of the board and suggest a roadmap for structural reforms in the institution. The committee’s ToRs have also been formulated. It will review the legal framework and governance structure of the board to see whether they are in line with best practices. The committee will review the board’s investment portfolio to see how available resources can be utilized effectively. The committee will review its current system of inventory of properties spread across the country and make suggestions for generating property data based on MIS and GIS.

The committee will also review the property rental evaluation system and suggest a more efficient and transparent mechanism. It will also review the capacity of human resources to improve the performance of the institution. It will consider conducting a feasibility study through a third party to explore the option of commercial activities under a public-private partnership for the properties.

The committee will submit its report to the prime minister within a month. The convener, the law minister, has called the first meeting of the committee at the law ministry on August 5. The ministry of religious affairs has appointed the ETPB secretary as the focal person. He has been directed to provide all relevant information and records to the committee.