Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Monday, emphasized that public money should be invested in such development projects which ensured tangible results.
The prime minister chaired a meeting to review the ongoing year’s development budget and proposed projects under the upcoming Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the next fiscal year, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
During the meeting, the prime minister said that ministries demonstrating better performance would be given priority in the allocation of funds for development projects.
He said that water reservoirs and hydropower projects were among the government’s top priorities in development spending and stressed that water reservoirs enhancement projects would be accorded high priority.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Hanif Abbasi, Sardar Awais Leghari, Mian Mohammad Moeen Watto, Abdul Aleem Khan, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar Khan, and other senior officials.
The prime minister also appreciated Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb for the successful launch of Panda Bonds and their positive reception in the market.
During the briefing, the prime minister praised the performance of the ministries of railways, information technology and power.
He also directed authorities to encourage public-private partnerships in the development projects.
The meeting was informed about the progress made on the current PSDP and was briefed on proposed development schemes and required funding for the next fiscal year.
The relevant officials also presented updates on major national water storage and hydropower projects, including Dasu Dam, Diamer-Bhasha Dam and Mohmand Dam.
