Panel to review WB's federalism report

PM Shehbaz directs fast-track OGRA reforms

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said Pakistan's constitutional federal structure, provincial autonomy and cooperation and consultation between the federation and the provinces were of fundamental importance for the country's development and stability.

The prime minister made the remarks while talking to a World Bank delegation led by its Country Director for Pakistan, Bolormaa Amgaabazar, who called on him here, a PM's Office news release said.

The prime minister termed the World Bank's analysis, along with the comparative review in light of international experiences, commendable, and said such studies played a key role in providing useful guidance for the policymaking process.

He directed the constitution of a high-level committee to comprehensively review the report. The committee will examine the recommendations presented in the World Bank report in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the provinces, keeping in view Pakistan's constitutional and federal structure, so that workable proposals could be considered in the public interest.

The World Bank delegation shared key findings of the report, highlighting the evolution of fiscal federalism in Pakistan following the 18th Constitutional Amendment and the 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, along with its analysis and observations on revenues, expenditures, federal-provincial fiscal relations, institutional coordination, and utilisation of public resources.

OGRA

PM Shehbaz directed the implementation of comprehensive reforms in OGRA, stressing the need for greater transparency, stronger oversight, and enhanced institutional capacity to ensure an efficient and accountable petroleum sector.

Chairing a high-level meeting on revamping and digitization of OGRA, the prime minister said the government's reform agenda must be implemented uniformly across all public institutions.

During the meeting, OGRA Chairman briefed participants on the authority's current performance, key challenges, and a comprehensive reform programme.

Azerbaijan

PM Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to further strengthen the brotherly ties with Azerbaijan, recalling the high-level exchanges between the two countries over the past two and a half years.

He, talking to Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov, who paid a farewell call on him, expressed confidence that the strong foundation laid during the envoy's tenure would continue to guide the trajectory of bilateral ties in the years ahead.