Prime Mini-ster Imran Khan has constituted a 13-member National Development Council (NDC) also comprising Chief of Army Staff aimed at setting policies and strategies for development and regional cooperation. The Council has been formulated at a time when the country is facing grim economic challenges and a tense situation is witnessed between the government and political opposition parties in and outside the parliament.
According to the notification, the Council will comprise: (i) Prime Minister (Chairman);(ii) Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs;(iii) Federal Minister for Finance/Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance;(iv) Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reforms;(v) Federal Minister Commerce /Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industries and Production and Invest-ment;(vi) Chief of Army Staff;(viii) any additional Minister/ Head of Strategic Body (on invitation) ;(ix) Secretary to the Prime Minister;(x) Secretary Foreign Affairs;(xii) Secretary Planning, Development & Reforms Division and ;(xiii) Additional Secretary, Prime Minister Office. The Chief Ministers of Provinces will attend the meeting on special invitation.
The Terms of Reference of the National Development Council, but not limited to, are as follows: (i) to set policies and strategies for development; (ii) formulate and tailor policies to achieve accelerated economic growth; (iii) approve long-term planning for national and regional connectivity; and (iv) provide guidelines for regional cooperation.
The notification has also been distributed amongst Chief Secretaries of Province, Chief Secretary Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Chief Secretary, Gilgit-Baltistan.
Analysts argue that formulation of a new body in the presence of National Economic Council (NEC) which is duly represented by the Provincial Chief Ministers, Prime Minister, AJ&K, Chief Minister, Gilgit-Baltistan may lead to duplication of effort. National Security Council (NSC) is also represented by almost all the important concerned Ministries. It is not clear if the constitution of National Development Council requires approval of federal cabinet or not.
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