Some of the important reforms Imran Khan promised to undertake in his election manifesto have run into roadblocks erected not by the opposition but entrenched interests within his party. Soon after the PTI formed government in Punjab, in an attempt to depoliticize the police force along the KP model he had appointed former KP police chief Nasir Khan Durrani - widely respected for presiding over police reforms in the PTI-ruled province - as chairman of the Commission on Police Reforms and Implementation for restructuring the department and freeing it from political influence. What worked in KP wouldn't work in Punjab where the ruling elites are in the habit of interfering in transfers and postings to suit their interests. In less than two months' time, Durrani tendered his resignation after the government transferred the provincial IGP Mohammed Tahir for refusing to take action against certain police officers accused of involvement in the Model Town killings case. Surely, Durrani saw that an unwelcome interference. Since then the reform plan has fallen by the way side.
Similarly, there is no movement on a new local governments (LGs) plan. It was in early September that Prime Minister Imran Khan had constituted a committee to recommend proposals within a week so that necessary legislation work could be initiated within a month for the devolution of power at the grassroots level. He had wanted all provinces to enact new LG laws. That being a provincial subject, the PTI cannot be blamed if the PPP government in Sindh and BAP-led ruling coalition in Balochistan remain unenthused about the idea. But there is no justification for the PTI government in Punjab to keep dragging its feet. It's been more than two months when senior minister Abdul Aleem Khan announced that recommendations have been finalized and would soon be presented to the PM for final decision. To this day, there is no progress. Apparently, the reason is resistance inside the party to the aspect of the decentralization plan that gives financial autonomy to LGs, taking away from MNAs and MPAs the influence-buying development funds.
According to a recent press report, the much-trumpeted civil service reforms have also gotten bogged down. The very first proposal presented by a special task force has been shot down by some members of the Federal cabinet. They are said to have taken exception to senior civil servants' postings and transfers procedure that gives them security of tenure, particularly the part that says in case there is a valid reason for transferring an officer the same should be recorded. Tenure security is important not only on an individual level but also to ensure better service delivery to the people. Common sense suggests there should be no hesitation to state the reason for transfer if an officer does not perform well or violates the rules. Yet, some in the ruling party are so averse to this rational proposal that it has now been referred to a ministerial committee. Khan, of course, has to take his party and allies along for a smooth sailing, but unless he draws a line, the price would be his dream of 'Naya Pakistan'.
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