National Reconstruction Bureau
| National Reconstruction Bureau NRB | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 8 November 1999 |
| Preceding Agency | Ministry of Frontier Space |
| Jurisdiction | Constitution of Pakistan |
| Headquarters | Islamabad, Pakistan |
| Agency executive | Dr. Asim Hussain, Chairman |
| Website | www.nrb.gov.pk/contact.htm |
The National Reconstruction Bureau (reporting name: NRB) is an independent and constitutionally established federal institution tasked with economic recovery and prosperous development through the local government system.
Overview
The NRB formulate public policy matters for the development of local economic independence, local government system evaluation and generate fundamental thought on promoting good governance to strengthen democracy through the reconstruction of institutions of state related to all aspects of governance and social welfare.
Codified under the Article 89(1) by the Constitution of Pakistan, the institute is chaired by the Chairman and directly reports to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on yearly basis. Established on 18 November 1999, its primary mission is to formulate public-level national policy for the nation-wide reconstruction, economic development and recovery all over the nation. As of present, the institution is currently chaired by Dr. Asim Hussain as its appointed and designated chairman of the NRB.[1]
History
Background
During the 1980-1990s, the country had seen a rapid rise of the illegal immigration from Afghanistan, Eastern Europe, Iran, Bangladesh, Burma, and other countries. The outcomes of the civil war in Afghanistan had damaged the planned cities of the FATA region in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province. The war torn areas in Western Pakistan, the unplanned and illegal housing caused major disturbances in planned traffic systems and cities. In 1999, President Pervez Musharraf took the recommendation from Pakistan Army and his government to established the National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) for quick economic recovery and development in war-torn areas.
Negotiations and consensus
The proposal was pushed forward by Pakistan Army when Lieutenant-General Tanveer Naqvi presented the plan at the cabinet-level meeting in Islamabad.[2] General Naqvi suggested to President Musharraf that the "Police should be under the control of district mayors who would be an elected person and accountable before the district assembly."[2] However, Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Moinuddin Haider objected the plan and differed with him as he insisted to the proposal that the proposed police safety commission which would also have public representation.[2]
The massive commutative political alliance, ARD, led by Benazir Bhutto rejected the whole plan, as she termed it as "not workable".[3] Its senior leader, Nasrullah Khan took punitive approach, pressing for quick elections, revival of assemblies rather than an acceleration in economic rehabilitation, demanding unconditional fulfillment of all prior reparation claims, and pressing for progress toward nationwide socioeconomic transformation.[3] The ARD noted that devolution plan, given by the National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB), was "neither workable nor practically possible".[3] The ARD demanded that any restructuring of the system should be left to the elected representatives.[3] The ARD alliance was divided when half of the political parties rejected the NRB plan for reconstruction while other half showed its support to NRB and admitted that the "new system is better than the one which had been given by the National Reconstruction Bureau."[3]
On 6 August 2000, over three dozen parties which took part in the all-party conference had rejected the NRB plan.[4] While other three dozen parties marked the NRB's proposal as "it was better was "practicable."[4] Meanwhile, President Musharraf reconcile the matter between Interior ministry and NRB at the high level meeting over the economic recovery plans.[5]
References
- ↑ Press (Tuesday, 20 May 2008). "Dr Asim appointed honourary [sic] NRB chairman". Daily Times Pakistan. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Faraz Hashmi (5 August 2000). "Women to get 33% seats: NSC, cabinet opt for separate electorate". Dawn Archives, 2000. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Ashraf Mumtaz (6 August 2000). "Devolution plan rejected: APC wants immediate timeframe for polls". Dawn Archives, August 2000. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 OSR (19 August 2000). "Most political parties reject devolution plan". Dawn 19. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
- ↑ Ansar Abbasi (1 July 2000). "NRB, interior ministry told to mend fences". 1 July 2000. Retrieved 5 March 2013.