Sir: The National Finance Commission (NFC) Award plays a decisive role in the financial status and working ability of the provincial and central state machinery. The 7th NFC Award will expire on June 30, 2015 after completing its five years validity. However, as reported in the media, the government might extend the existing NFC Award for yet another year so that a fresh national consensus may be achieved. Moreover, a census is due in March next year, which will give credible data about the population. In this way, the government will be able to accurately calculate the needs and requirements of each province. It is hoped that the government will continue its efforts to achieve meaningful consensus on such important issues in order to smoothly run the federating units and the state machinery. FAIZAN MALIKLahore