PTBP Web Desk
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has initiated a comprehensive mission to Islamabad, which will run from September 30 to October 18, 2024. This strategic endeavor aims to facilitate pivotal consultations and discussions concerning the advancement and execution of various significant reform programs. These include the Improved Resource Mobilization and Utilization Reform Program, the acceleration of the State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) reform program, and the promotion of the Digital Tax Administration Project.
The mission’s primary goal is to bolster the Resource Mobilization and Utilization Reform Program (DRM SP2). The activities planned are multi-fold:
Review of Current Reforms: The team will assess the progress of reforms under the SP2 of the DRM Policy-Based Loan (PBL), pinpointing any emerging needs, potential scopes, and the implementation of Technical Assistance (TA).
Policy Dialogues: Engagements with government counterparts, notably the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), will focus on identifying existing binding constraints and prioritizing reforms that could be supported by TA or PBL.
Stakeholder Consultations: Gathering and analyzing essential information and data for the implementation of the DRM SP2, SOE Reform-Based Loan (RBL), and the Digital Tax Administration Project will be crucial. The mission aims to build a collaborative environment with all stakeholders, including government agencies, business representatives, development partners, ADB experts, and others.
For the proposed Digital Tax Administration project, the mission will:
Conduct a detailed assessment to ascertain the needs and scope of the ADB-backed project, including cost estimations, timelines, and an actionable plan for the next 3-5 years. This will be based on diagnostic reports and recommendations provided by the government.
A significant part of the mission’s agenda is dedicated to accelerating the SOE reform program. The steps include:
Compliance and Assessment Reviews: Evaluating compliance with the provisions of the SOE Law and Policy, and reviewing outcomes of pre-diagnostic assessments on identified SOEs like PESCO and MEPCO for corporatization and commercialization.
Framework Finalization: Finalizing the results framework for the program, including disbursement-linked indicators, partial results, and program activities.
Technical Assessments: Commencing technical and system assessments and preparing a risk mitigation framework.
Policy Dialogue: Engaging in policy dialogues with the government on key findings from the activities mentioned above.
The mission features a robust team of ADB specialists, including Laisiasa Tora, Sana Masood, Yuji Miyaki, and others, who bring a wealth of experience in public sector reforms. Additionally, international consultants like Christopher Russell and Adnan Gilani will provide expertise in specific areas such as the implementation of the SOE Act and Policy and fiscal risk management.
National Leader Draftsperson Natasha Jehangir will lead discussions related to the SOE Act and Policy, ensuring that all legal and policy frameworks align with the current and future needs of the SOEs.
The mission is expected to yield a comprehensive draft Back to Office Report (BToR) based on the discussions and findings during its stay. This report will serve as a foundational document for future interventions and support from the ADB, tailored to the specific needs of Pakistan’s economic and financial landscape.
The outcomes of this mission are anticipated to have a long-lasting impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of resource mobilization, the operational dynamics of SOEs, and the modernization of tax administration in Pakistan.
