The National Finance Commission (NFC) Award constitutes a major success for the PPP-Ied coalition. Singularly most important for the integrity of the country, for the first time in living memory all the Provinces of the Federation are universally happy, and in absolute agreement, about something. Given the terms of previous NFC Awards, the smaller Provinces were aggrieved due to the perception that it favoured Punjab at their cost, this time they were all praise for the magnanimity shown by Punjab. This resulted in a much needed show of unity of the Federation. Notwithstanding additional funds flowing to the deprived Provinces from the Federal Revenue cake, the real plus point is that a feeling of togetherness and goodwill fostered by the manner in which the negotiations were conducted. There was genuine give-and-take, this united Pakistan for a change. Given all our problems, that is a very good and satisfying feeling.
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