Provincial Finance Commission: Options for Fiscal Transfers

The Provincial Finance Commissions were constituted in all four provinces of Pakistan in 2001. The Commissions were asked to formulate a formula for the distribution of resources among the districts in their respective province to ensure smooth functioning of the local governments and to minimise the poverty and income inequalities among the districts. This paper analyse to what extent the existing development transfers are based on the existing level of deprivation in the districts by looking at the Rank Correlation between them. This paper also runs different simulations to suggest different options for the provincial governments to improve the distribution formulas.

Effect of Sodium Bisulfite on Peroxidase Activity and Electrolyte Leakage in Maize in Relation to Sporulation of Bipolaris maydis Race T

Author Institution: Department of Plant Pathology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and The Ohio State UniversityIn this study, we sought to determine whether the increases in peroxidase activity and electrolyte leakage induced in maize (Zea mays L.) leaves by sodium bisulfite were causally related to the sodium bisulfite-induced increases in sporulation of the pathogen Bipolaris maydis race T on infected maize leaves. Pretreatment of detached leaves of maize inbred W64 A with sodium bisulfite (500 |ig/ml) for 24 h in the dark at 28°C increased peroxidase activity in the Tms cytoplasm (susceptible) isoline compared with the N cytoplasm (resistant) isoline. No such differences in peroxidase activity between the two isolines were observed when detached leaves were pretreated with double distilled water. The sodium bisulfite-induced increase in peroxidase activity persisted even when leaves pretreated with sodium bisulfite were inoculated with R maydis race T and subsequently incubated for 48 h in the dark at 28° C. Similarly, pretreatment with sodium bisulfite caused a greater increase in electrolyte leakage as well as in sporulation on the leaves of the susceptible than on those of the resistant isoline when compared with leaves not treated with sodium bisulfite. Sodium bisulfite showed no effect on sporulation in vitro. Leachates from the susceptible isoline pretreated with sodium bisulfite also caused greater increase in sporulation than those from the resistant isoline pretreated with sodium bisulfite

Provincial Finance Commission: Options for Fiscal Transfers

The Provincial Finance Commissions were constituted in all four provinces of Pakistan in 2001. The Commissions were asked to formulate a formula for the distribution of resources among the districts in their respective province. The formula includes both transfers- the development transfer and current transfers. The purposes of the current transfers are to ensure the maintainability of existing services at the districts level and of the development grants to minimise the intradistrict poverty and inter-districts income differential. In this paper we compute the Rank Correlation between the existing development grants transfer index and the deprivation index. This will help the policy-makers understood whether the transfers are fiscal need based or not? That is to highlight to what extent the existing development transfers are based on the existing level of deprivation in the districts. If not, then what can be done to make the transfers pro-poor. To assist the policy maker in this regards this study carried out a simulation when 50 percent transfers are based on population and 50 percent on deprivation. This simulation will provide sufficient range in which the policy maker can exercise their discretion to minimise poverty and at the same time provide resources to maintain existing infrastructure. The distribution of funds among the districts which is based only on expenditure needs of the districts cannot help address poverty issue. The provinces therefore, have to use different indicators in the formula of PFC Award to achieve both objectives

Inter-Governmental Funds Flows in Pakistan: Are they Reducing Poverty?

The purpose of this paper is to see whether any link can be found between the inter-governmental fiscal transfers and the deprivation index in the districts of Pakistan. The data for the study was collected from 98 districts of four provinces of Pakistan for the year 2003 and 2007. The results of the study shows the transfers have reduced deprivation across the board but unable to solve disparity issue. In fact the results show the extreme inequality (ratio of maximum to minimum) has increased over time but average disparity (coefficient of variation) gives mixed results. Keywords: Fiscal Federalism, Horizontal Inequity, Vertical Inequity, Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer

Impact of Domestic Financial Disasters on Islamic Banks Performance in Pakistan: An Empirical Approach

This study aims to determine the existence of Islamic banks in Pakistan before and after the domestic financial disaster between (2014-2023). Considering the accessibility of financial statements and reports, the review test was conducted on Meezan Bank, Bank of Islami, and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). It was found that the domestic financial disaster had a slight to no negative effect on Islamic organizations. Due to this, it is possible to conclude that Pakistan's Islamic banking industry is resilient and unaffected by the financial disasters affecting the country. Overall, the Islamic banking industry in Pakistan is robust and has the potential to grow further in the future. This shows that the Islamic banking industry in Pakistan is well-positioned to capitalize on future opportunities

Creating Jobs through Energy Efficiency Using Wisconsin's Successful Focus on Energy Program

The purpose of this project was to provide administrative and technical support for the completion of energy efficiency projects that reduce energy intensity and create or save Wisconsin industrial jobs. All projects have been completed. Details in the attached reports include project management, job development, and energy savings for each project

Teacher Training in Pakistan: Overview of Challenges and their Suggested Solutions

Education is a key component of progress in the present-day world. But this progress cannot be made without efforts of teachers. Therefore, teacher education, in particular teacher training becomes extremely important. In this regard, several trainings programs are initiated and executed across Pakistan but the desired outcomes have not been achieved so far. Hence, this study was conducted to explore the challenges in teacher training in Pakistan and the ways through which these issues can be resolved. The sources for the data of the study were the published studies in the field in the context of Pakistan, national education policy, and other relevant literature. Based on secondary data, the study concludes that the issues with teacher training in Pakistan are administrative as well as faculty related. The findings reveal that the challenges related to policy and planning, poor induction of teachers, lack of resources in teacher training institutions, demotivation among teachers, and unequal distribution of skilled and productive teachers, dual training system and infrequent trainings. These issues can be fixed by fostering encouraging environment, ensuring accountability and merit, providing necessary resources, systematizing professional training programs and their continuation. The findings of this study will, therefore, positively guide policymakers to develop the right and effective policy to improve the standard of teacher education in the country