By The South Asia Times

LAKKI MARWAT - The district administration has introduced a set of financial discipline measures and a digitized oversight system aimed at improving transparency and ensuring responsible use of development funds.

The reforms follow an internal review which identified long-standing issues such as duplication of schemes, weak feasibility assessments, and inconsistent record-keeping. In response, Deputy Commissioner Hameedullah Khan directed departments to adopt a more structured and evidence-based approach to project planning and approvals.

A central part of the new process is a digitized pre-DDC inspection and assessment proforma. This mechanism requires every proposed development scheme to undergo technical scrutiny, physical verification, and documentation before it is placed before the District Development Committee (DDC). The aim is to prevent duplication, inflated estimates, poorly prepared PC-Is, and schemes lacking community value.

According to officials, the new system functions as an early filter to identify discrepancies and halt questionable proposals. Departments are now required to submit data-backed, verifiable projects rather than relying on past practices or incomplete information.

For years, the district operated with fragmented administrative records where schemes overlapped, old files resurfaced under new names, and technical details were not properly preserved. The new digital database is intended to serve as an updated and permanent record of all roads, water supply networks, schools, and other infrastructure schemes. Each entry includes site coordinates, geotagged photographs, feasibility assessments, and beneficiary details.

Officials say this approach will make monitoring more straightforward and provide a clear basis for decision-making. It also helps build an institutional memory to reduce dependence on manual files or individual officers’ recollection.

Another reform underway is the digitization of service histories for government employees. Postings, promotions, qualifications, and other career data—previously scattered in physical registers—are being consolidated into a digital record. This is expected to support better HR management and reduce administrative gaps.

While the reforms will take time to show visible results on the ground, the administration believes the foundation has been laid for more transparent and structured development planning in Lakki Marwat.