LAHORE, Dec 18: Though uneven, the implementation of devolution plan in Pakistan has been much faster than in any other country and it would not be easy to wrap up the system in future.

This was stated by Asian Development Bank Senior Governance Specialist Douglas Porter while talking to reporters at the conclusion of a three-day workshop on inter-governmental finance here on Thursday.

The workshop was organized by the Decentralization Support Programme and the provincial finance department in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank.

Mr Porter expressed his happiness over the recent statement of President Musharraf regarding the continuation of the district governments. “This is a strong statement by strong leadership. The Philippines has a good devolution law but a weak political leadership to implement it.”

He said that president’s assertion that the local government system was a part of Schedule 6 was a pretty clear signal for continuation of the system.

Mr Porter said in some parts of the country the devolution plan had not been fully implemented. There were differences among DCOs, DPOs and Nazims. “Pakistan is a very diversified country but it has now elected local councils.”

Replying to a question he disagreed with the view that the local government system would be wrapped up after the departure of President Musharraf. “You can’t compare this to what happened to the past systems because this has gone further. It will not be easy to wrap up the system if another local government elections are held.”

Mr Porter said he was impressed by the performance of the Punjab government with regard to the implementation of district government system.

He said the Punjab government had been giving all budget to the district government, but the Balochistan government had given local government funds to its MPAs.