[Reader-list] PK: Recent Publications @ pildat.org

Thu May 6 17:17:14 IST 2010

From: PILDAT News System <donotreply at pildat.org>
Date: Thu, May 6, 2010 at 4:15 PM

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*Recent Publications @ pildat.org*

*Budget and Budgetary Process in the Parliament of India *
Background Paper*
May 2010*
Download [PDF]<http://www.pildat.org/Publications/publication/Budget/Budget%20and%20Budgetary%20Process%20in%20the%20Parliament%20of%20India%2006052010.pdf>

*What is the Budget and Budgetary Process in the Parliament of India? This
Background Paper, part of the PILDAT Series on Parliamentary Budget Process,
has been especially commissioned by PILDAT to examine the Indian case in
this regard. While several PILDAT publications earlier share overview of the
Indian budget process, this background paper, authored by Ms. Gyana Ranjan
Panda, Programme Officer, Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability,
Delhi, describes in detail various stages of the Indian budget process in
detail. The paper has been especially developed for the purpose of
comparative analysis with the budgetary process in Pakistan and placed
together with a PILDAT Baseline Report on Parliamentary Budget Process in
Pakistan and Canada offers an insightful comparative perspective. *

*Medium Term Budgetary Framework*
Background Paper
May 2010
Download [PDF]<http://www.pildat.org/publications/publication/budget/Medium%20Term%20Budgetary%20Framework%20040510.pdf>

*The Federal Government has embarked upon a budget management reform
programme called the Medium- Term Budgetary Framework (MTBF). Essentially,
this means that the upcoming Federal Budget will be based on the model known
as 'Medium-Term Budget Estimates by Service Delivery' which would present 1
year budget and 2 years projections for services (outputs) delivered by each
Ministry / Division. The services are also linked with outcomes (affects on
target population) and with the performance indicators and targets. This
Background Paper is aimed at sharing details of the MTBF with
Parliamentarians as part of the overall budget process reforms introduced by
the Government. The brief has been authored by Mr. Nohman Ishtiaq,
Consultant MTBF at the Ministry of Finance who is currently leading the MTBF
reform and has been working with Ministry of Finance for the past three
years.*

*Policy Brief: Proposals for Electoral Reforms*
Policy Brief
April 2010
Download [PDF]<http://www.pildat.org/publications/publication/elections/Policy%20Brief%20Electoral%20Reforms%20250410.pdf>

This Policy Brief includes proposals regarding computerized Electoral Roll
and enrollment as a Voter at the time of making of Computerised National
Identification Cards (CNICs) using NADRA's expertise. The Brief contains
proposals about placing checks on the office of the President and the
Governors from influencing the electoral process. The disclosure and
declarations by the candidates should be made public before every election,
demands CGEP while offering proposals for an inclusive method of appointment
of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the need for changing the
eligibility criteria for the post of the CEC. The Election Commission should
compose of permanent members, the CGEP proposes while advocating reforms
such as live posting of polling stations wise (progressive) voting results
on the ECP website; an agreed Code of Conduct by political parties; strict
compliance of Laws by the ECP to control Government influence; setting up of
a realistic ceiling on maximum election expenses and application of
electoral rules and laws on all. The CGEP also proposes a system of
appointing Election Observers from amongst public officials by the ECP in
every district to ensure compliance of electoral rules and laws and to
report back to the ECP in time for action.

*CGEP: Proposals for Electoral Reforms*
Position Paper
March 2010
Download [PDF]<http://www.pildat.org/publications/publication/elections/CGEP%20Proposals%20for%20Electoral%20Reform%20Position%20Paper%20250310.pdf>
Download Urdu Version
[PDF]<http://www.pildat.org/publications/publication/elections/CGEP%20Proposals%20for%20Electoral%20Reform%20Position%20Paper%20250310%20Urdu.pdf>

PILDAT facilitated the formation of the Citizens Group on Electoral
Process-CGEP in 2006, with the avowed Pgoal of contributing towards the
holding of free, fair and credible elections in Pakistan. A number of
well-known personalities from the media, legal profession, civil society and
former members of the superior judiciary and armed forces, but with no
present affiliation with any political party, have been serving as members.
The CGEP has played a key role in monitoring the electoral process ahead of
February 2008 General Elections and is now working to institute and promote
Electoral Reforms in Pakistan. In one of its key publications, the Group
outlined a set of required Electoral Reforms in Pakistan in September 2007
and revised in 2008 after consultation with different stakeholders. This
paper was shared with the policymakers of the time, political parties, media
and other segments of the civil society. The Electoral Reform proposals have
been updated in March 2010. The CGEP believes that the time to consider and
institute required Electoral Reforms in the country is now. The elected
political government, Parliament and the new administration of the Election
Commission of Pakistan are well-aware of the challenges of the existing
electoral system. A firm political will and commitment to reform at this
stage, with support from citizens and the media, therefore, can enable the
country to put in place the Electoral Reforms that can truly provide a
level-playing field to all and fulfil the criteria of free, fair and
credible elections in Pakistan. The updated proposals on Electoral Reforms
by CGEP, therefore, are our sincere contribution to this process at this
crucial stage.

*State of the Electoral Rolls in Pakistan*
Background Paper
March 2010
Download [PDF]<http://www.pildat.org/Publications/publication/elections/State%20of%20Electoral%20Rolls%20in%20Pakistan%20040310.pdf>
Download Urdu Version
[PDF]<http://www.pildat.org/Publications/publication/elections/State%20of%20Electoral%20Rolls%20in%20Pakistan%20040310%20Urdu.pdf>

It remains the Constitutional responsibility of the Election Commission of
Pakistan to update the Electoral Rolls annually. While the next General
Election is due by 2013, the Local Government Election is expected to be
held during 2010 and it is necessary that the Electoral Rolls in Pakistan
are error-free ahead of any elections in Pakistan. This paper traces the
progress on Computerised Electoral Rolls in Pakistan after February 2008
General Election, note the progress in removing issues identified in
Computerised Electoral Rolls, and the new round of collaboration between the
ECP and the NADRA to produce accurate Electoral Rolls for future elections.
The paper also identifies some key questions that need to be addressed in
order to restore people's faith in the Electoral Rolls in particular and the
electoral process in general.

*Narcotics and Pakistan*
Background Paper
March 2010
Download [PDF]<http://www.pildat.org/Publications/publication/Democracy&LegStr/Narcotics%20&%20Pakistan%20160310.pdf>
Download Urdu Version
[PDF]<http://www.pildat.org/Publications/publication/Democracy&LegStr/Narcotics%20&%20Pakistan%20Urdu%20160310.pdf>

Production and trafficking of narcotics and its nexus with insurgency and
terrorism targeting Pakistan is a critical issue for Pakistan. The
Government of Pakistan is about to announce its new Anti-Narcotics Policy
2010. It is, therefore, important for the citizens to review the draft
policy and provide their input to the government before its finalisation.
This Background Paper, prepared by Ms. Soufia Siddiqui under the guidance of
PILDAT, sets the draft policy in a context, analysing the need for a
comprehensive policy on narcotics control in Pakistan. Impetus for this
Background Paper, and a series of Consultation with a cross-section of the
society have been provided by the draft Anti-Narcotics Policy formulated by
the Ministry of Narcotics Control. We acknowledge the support of the
Ministry in sharing the draft Policy as well as the Ministry Year Books that
have been used as sources in preparing this Background Paper.

*Making Intelligence Accountable: Report *
Roundtable Discussion and Launch of Urdu Version of Handbook*
**March 2010*

*Establishing a system of intelligence service accountability that is both
democratic and efficient is one of the most daunting challenges faced by
modern-day states. This arduous task is indispensable, howerver, as
political guidance and direction to the reform of intelligence services
contributes to the avoidance of abuses as well as to the enhancement of
efficiency for all participating branches of government.*

*Parliamentary Budget Process in Pakistan and Canada*
Baseline Report*
January 2010**
*Download [PDF]
<http://www.pildat.org/Publications/publication/Budget/BASELINE%20REPORT%20Parliamentary%20Budget%20Process%20in%20Pakistan%20and%20Canada%20100210.pdf>
 *Download Urdu Version
[PDF]<http://www.pildat.org/Publications/publication/Budget/BASELINE%20REPORT%20Parliamentary%20Budget%20Process%20in%20Pakistan%20and%20Canada%20Urdu%20100210.pdf>
*

*The priorities of any nation are reflected in its policies and strategies.
The national budget, representing the government's fiscal, financial and
economic objectives, serves as the most important policy document of a
county. The national budget-making process is the single most important
entry point for influencing governmental priorities. Pakistan's current
budgetary process has, for various historical reasons, attracted little
input from parliamentarians, political parties or wider civil society. The
budget process has, in consequence, become solely the domain of the
government, leaving little scope for analysis or accountability. The purpose
of this Baseline Report is to describe the current baseline conditions of
the budgetary process in Pakistan in order to enable the partners in this
project to identify weaknesses and the possibilities for strengthening and
change. The report seeks to address the lack of parliamentary and political
party scrutiny of the budget process. *

 *Parliamentary Oversight of the Defence Sector in India*
Background Paper*
January 2010**
*Download [PDF]<http://www.pildat.org/Publications/publication/CMR/PARLIAMENTARY%20OVERSIGHT%20of%20the%20Defence%20Sector%20in%20India%20300110.pdf>

India and Pakistan share similar Parliamentary systems and a political
history, although the two countries have had diverse experiences of
civil-military relations. What have been the experiences of India,
especially Parliamentary experiences, of democratic control and oversight of
the defence sector? PILDAT has commissioned a series of papers on the issue
to provide a comparative perspective on democratic and parliamentary
experiences of India in the field of defence oversight. The paper on
Parliamentary Oversight of the Defence Sector in India, part of the series
of PILDAT, provides a detailed overview of the system and practice of
oversight employed by Parliamentary Committees in India. The paper is
authored by Mr. S. Samuel C. Rajiv, a Researcher at the Institute for
Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), New Delhi. The advice and guidance of
Director General IDSA, Mr. N. S. Sisodia, in the preparation of this paper
is also gratefully acknowledged. PILDAT wishes to acknowledge the support
provided by the United States Institute of Peace towards PILDAT's larger
programme of "Research and Dialogue on Civil-Military Relations for Conflict
Prevention in Pakistan." The paper has been prepared under this project.

 *Punjab Ka Salana Tarqyati Programme (ADP) 2010-2011 (Urdu Version) *
Objectives, Strategies, Priorities and Estimates
*January 2010**
*Download [PDF]<http://www.pildat.org/publications/publication/democracy&LegStr/Briefing%20on%20Annual%20Development%20Program%20for%20Punjab%202010-2011.pdf>

This Briefing Paper, Annual Development Programme (ADP) of Punjab 2010-2011,
has been prepared to provide an overview of the current Budget Process, the
upcoming Budget and the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the Financial
Year 2010-2011 to enable the Honourable Members of the Provincial Assembly
of the Punjab to contribute more effectively during the Pre-Budget Session
of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab. The briefing paper covers
sub-topics such as objectives of the Annual Development Programme, adoption
of strategies to achieve those objectives, priorities in Annual Development
Programme (including social, production and services sectors), Financial
Estimations for Annual Development Programme 2010-2011 and Guidelines for
the preparation of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2010-2011.

 The Competition Ordinance 2007
PILDAT Legislative Brief
January 2010
Download [PDF]<http://www.pildat.org/Publications/publication/LB/PILDAT%20Legislative%20Brief%208%20-%20Competition%20Ordinance%202007.pdf>

This Ordinance was a response to concerns that some businesses within
Pakistan were dominating markets and operating anti-competitive practices,
which were damaging to consumers and Pakistan's national and international
trade. The Ordinance establishes the Competition Commission, whose members
are appointed by the federal Government. The Commission's role is to police
the market, investigate undertakings, initiate proceedings, conduct
inquiries and studies, give advice and advocate in favour of competition. As
part of its inquiries and investigations, the Commission has judicial powers
to make orders, enter and search premises, copy and seize evidence and to
impose significant penalties for market infringements. Appeals against its
orders lie to an appellate bench of the Commission and to the Supreme Court
thereafter.

 The Defence Housing Authority Islamabad Ordinance 2007
PILDAT Legislative Brief
January 2010
Download [PDF]<http://www.pildat.org/Publications/publication/LB/PILDAT%20Legislative%20Brief%207%20-%20DHA%20Islamabad%20Ordinance%202007.pdf>

This Ordinance was introduced by President Pervez Musharraf and represented
a further expansion of the already existing model of Defence Housing
Authorities in Karachi and Lahore. The Ordinance served to change the status
of the previous body, the Army Welfare Housing Scheme ("AWHS"), from a
private, regulated authority to a quasi-public, commercial entity. This
expansion was a further step in the process of enlarging the interests of
the Armyrelated institutions into non-military, commercial concerns, whilst
granting discriminatory advantage to the Army-related institutions in terms
of the market. The Ordinance dissolved the AWHS and transferred its assets
and liabilities to the newly created DHA. The DHA was established as a
corporate body, with legal identity and the ability to enter into contracts,
hold land and sue/be sued. The Ordinance established a governing body,
headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Aviation, along with an
Executive Board to carry out the administrative, executive and financing
functions of the DHA. The Executive has broad-ranging powers to purchase and
develop land, enter into contracts and financial transactions, raise funds,
plan developments, employ staff and issue rules and regulations. It may also
operate an Authority fund, into which all of its funds are placed. However,
in addition to these standard commercial functions, the DHA is granted a
number of significant public and quasi-public powers, which grant it a
significant advantage over privately operated concerns. The DHA operates as
a municipal authority, effectively as a form of unelected and unaccountable
local government. Its employees are civil servants and are given effective
immunity in respect of legal proceedings arising from any actions taken in
good faith. The provisions of the Industrial Relations Act do not apply to
its employees. The DHA Executive also has a broad power to make and issue
rules and regulations to assist it in carrying out its functions.
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*Recent Events*

 Parliamentarians strongly demand Pre-Budget Session; Complain about an
ineffective Role of Parliament in the Budget
Process<http://www.pildat.org/eventsdel.asp?detid=370>

 Federal and Provincial Governments are urged not to allow a vacuum in
Labour Laws to emerge after the expiration of IRA 2008 on April 30,
2010<http://www.pildat.org/eventsdel.asp?detid=369>

 Inputs in the Federal Budget should be made by Business, Media and Civil
Society at this Stage: Syed Naveed
Qamar<http://www.pildat.org/eventsdel.asp?detid=368>

 Now is the time to institute Electoral Reforms:
CGEP<http://www.pildat.org/eventsdel.asp?detid=367>

*Links:*
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