On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif established a cabinet committee chaired by the Planning Minister to oversee the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and mandated third-party evaluations for all major national development projects.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the federal government and provinces to boost the economy, directing federal ministers to address the financial, economic, and other issues concerning Sindh.
In a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing, it was mentioned that Shehbaz presided over a meeting regarding Planning Ministry and Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) matters. During this session, he instructed all ministries to propose projects for public-private partnerships.
Shehbaz emphasized the initiation of sustainable PSDP projects that contribute to long-term national development. He highlighted the need for third-party validation of major national development initiatives.
Furthermore, the prime minister noted that increased revenue collection would provide ample funds for development projects. He stressed the harmonization of federal PSDP and provincial annual development programs.
To achieve this, Shehbaz directed the formation of a cabinet committee led by the Planning Minister to oversee the development budget and PSDP. This committee would devise mechanisms for PSDP programs through short-, medium-, and long-term proposals.
The meeting was attended by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Jehanzeb Khan, and others.
Shehbaz also convened a separate meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, attended by federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Cheema, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, and others, to address development issues in Sindh.
The prime minister instructed the resolution of Sindh government’s concerns and expedited progress on ongoing federally-funded development projects in the province. He directed federal ministers to address the financial, economic, and other issues facing Sindh and emphasized the necessity of cooperation among the federation and provinces for economic revival, stressing the inclusion of all provinces in consultations for the upcoming development budget preparation.
