PESHAWAR, Jan 11: The Frontier government's recently-constituted special commission tasked to reform provincial public sector departments and financial institutions in line with Shariat would undetake its work soon, according to official sources.

Under an official memorandum issued here on Saturday last, the NWFP finance department has asked the administrative heads of all provincial government departments to provide input on devising financial mechanisms and policies governing their respective departments in conformity with Shariat.

The finance commission has been constituted in fulfilment of a provision of the NWFP Enforcement of Shariat Act, 2003. In line with the Shariat Act, the commission was supposed to be formed within one month after the provincial assembly enacted the law on June 2, 2003.

But, due to procedural delays and complications involved in the matter, the commission came into existence on Oct 8, 2003. Official sources said that before the commission formally began its working, departments had been directed to submit their proposals to facilitate its job.

The commission, according to an official source, was asked to suggest wide-ranging reforms in the provincial public sector and financial institutions to bring them in line with the Islamic laws, norms and practices.

The body has been assigned the task to recommend a replacement based on Islamic principles of the financial existing system if the mechanism is in conflict with religious injunctions.

The term of references put forth for the commission require it to suggest measures and a line of action for creating economic opportunities and introduce social reforms in accordance with the Constitution of the country.

It is also supposed to come up with comprehensive proposals to abolish the prevalent interest-based economic system and identify its possible replacement.

The commission has been asked to review the existing financial laws (provincial) concerning taxes, fees, insurance and banking to determine whether or not these are in clash with Islamic injunctions.

The special finance commission, said the source, would provide input from time to time to be tabled before the provincial assembly for an appropriate action to reform the provincial financial system.

In this respect, the departmental heads have been directed to submit their input in writing, at the earliest, identifying core issues and areas where reforms are needed to bring them in conformity with the Islamic injunctions. "The commission would shortly hold its maiden meeting," said the source.