PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Wednesday conveyed its strict policy of zero tolerance for corruption, irregularities, and inefficiency to the administrative machinery of the province.

A letter issued by the chief minister’s secretariat to the ministers, administrative secretaries, commissioners, and deputy commissioners said the chief minister recently launched the “Public Agenda Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - Reforms or Punishment” for actions on quality and quantity management of public sector development interventions, initiatives, public good and public service, service delivery as well as general interaction with citizens.

“The chief minister expressly desired to communicate reiteration of his zero tolerance policy on zero policy on all types of corruption, including financial and administrative irregularities, inefficiency, delay in actualisation of public good, belated decision-making, rude behaviour towards people and any other conduct unbecoming of, and putting slight on the Public Agenda of the provincial government. This 99-point agenda focuses on cleanliness, hygiene, public convenience, revenue matters, public good, service delivery, and price and quality control,” read the letter.

It added that the commissioners and deputy commissioners were administratively and financially empowered and assigned timelines to implement the agenda.

The letter said the government departments would help district administrations execute the agenda.

Meanwhile, adviser to the chief minister on finance Muzammil Aslam appreciated the Public Agenda Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emphasising its potential to drive substantial reforms.

“Thisagendais designed to instigate significant changes in governance, ensuring that every department delivers effectively and efficiently,” Mr Aslam said in a statement.

He said the agenda, which had been disseminated to all ministers, advisers and special assistants to the

CM, and key administrative figures, set clear expectations and deadlines for reforms in all departments.

“The Public Agenda mandates that each department allocate at least two hours daily to address public complaints and issues. Additionally, police authorities are required to conduct in-person and online open kutcheris to facilitate open communication with the people,” he said.

The aide to the CM said the government had directed all commissioners and deputy commissioners to address issues fast and submit monthly reports on the first day of every month.

He added that government departments would launch campaigns for cleanliness in hospitals, educational institutions, and public places besides ensuring the cleaning and chlorination of water tanks.

“The Public Agenda calls for the immediate removal of unnecessary panaflexes, banners, and loose wires to improve urban aesthetics and safety,” he said.

Mr Aslam said that the initiative showed the chief minister’s commitment to action over rhetoric, focusing on the implementation of practical steps to drive revolutionary and unique initiatives across the province.

“The Public Agenda Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - Reforms or Punishment represents a bold step towards achieving good governance, aiming to hold departments accountable and ensuring a responsive government for the people of our province,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2024