Parliamentary Task Force SDGs meets: MPAs to give suggestions to KP govt for upcoming budget

PESHAWAR: The KP Assembly Parliamentary Task Force on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has convened the second virtual online meeting to discuss the legislature’s response to the Covid-19 crisis.

The Task Force met under the Chairmanship of convener, Arif Ahmedzai, Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Mines and Minerals, said an official handout. The other participants of the virtual meeting were Zahoor Shakir, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Zakat and Ushr; other MPAs including Syed Fakhar Jahan, Rehana Ismail, Humaira Khatoon, Ayesha Bano, Babar Saleem Swati, Asia Khattak, Dr Sumera Shams, Salahuddin Mohmand, Sahibzada Sanaullah and Rangez Ahmed.

Syed Waqar Shah, special secretary, represented the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. Sabir Shah, the Project Manager at SDGs Unit, Syed Bilal Hussain from Information Department along with Karim Gabol, Bilal Khattak and Waqas Paracha from

UNDP attended the meeting online. The meeting was meant to receive a briefing by the KP SDGs Unit on the socio-economic impact assessment & response plan by UN agencies; to suggest key focus areas and recommendations for the proposed research paper on the upcoming financial budget (2020 -21) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to explore and identify ways for better communication with the constituents on mass awareness related to governmental policies with regard to Coivd-19. As the supreme democratic institution to legislate and oversee as well as advise the executive authorities, the KP Assembly has formed the Task Force on SDGs comprising members from all the parliamentary parties. The members were briefed by the SDGs Unit about the latest Pakistan’s socio-economic impact assessment and response plan developed by UN agencies in Pakistan.

The members jointly agreed to recommend suggestions to the KP government for the upcoming budget in the form of a research paper from SDGs Task Force covering areas related to health, social protection, employment, small & medium enterprises (SMEs), public works, emergency response, and economic recovery. The members suggested to bring about reforms in the public financial management processes for a better oversight of funds by the assembly.

They emphasized the involvement of the ulema, schoolteachers and civil servants for raising awareness among the masses. A communication strategy was also discussed and agreed upon under which video messages would be developed and radio shows aired to inform the people about the SOPs of social distancing and to get support on the government efforts in fighting this pandemic. The members recommended the involvement of traders, small businessmen, industrialists, manufacturers, and other stakeholders before taking any critical discussion about the business community for economic recovery.

They recommended having at least 5 per cent of an emergency fund to be allocated in the budget at every financial year as a financial safety net for future disasters or unexpected expenses such as this Covid-19 pandemic.