PAC to hold another conference
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration should brace for a tough assignment this month with the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) holding its All-Inclusive Conference scheduled for February 17 and 18 in Blantyre.
But a political analyst has urged PAC to step up its game if the resolutions of its conferences are to have any bearing on the ruling party and government.
In an interview with The Nation yesterday, PAC executive director Robert Phiri said the conference will accord an opportunity to stakeholders to interrogate the current economic and political situation in the country amid an outcry by various groups of deteriorating public service delivery and economic malaise.
“PAC noted that the economic and political direction of the country remains unsatisfactory and , therefore, last year the PAC board adopted a resolution that a 5th All-Inclusive Conference be held to discuss the country’s political and economic path in a constructive manner,” said Phiri in an e-mailed response.
The conference comes hot on the heels of rising pressure on government, including a warning by the Malawi Law Society (MLS) that Capital Hill risks court actions over prolonged drug stock-outs in various public health facilities in the country.
Currently the Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) has dragged government to court for passing a 13.7 percent electricity tariff hike.
Food shortages and their resultant rising prices, a rapidly depreciating kwacha and dwindling purchasing power are all hurting Malawian households and businesses.
PAC’s All-Inclusive Conferences have in the past made controversial