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