Islamabad (Newsman): Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, the Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, presided over a meeting on Friday to discuss the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2024–25’s first quarter progress.
The meeting is part of a series of sessions aimed to assess the performance of various ministries in implementing development projects.
Key ministries and divisions, such as the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, the Petroleum Division, the National Heritage and Culture Division, the Regulations and Coordination Division, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the National Health Services, and SUPARCO, gave updates on their individual PSDP projects during Friday’s session.
Under the PSDP framework, the federal government awarded ministries and divisions Rs155 billion for the first quarter.
Professor Iqbal stressed the need for timely project completion at the project review, especially for current initiatives that should ideally be completed by the deadline specified in PC-1.
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He instructed that adequate funds be set aside for existing projects to prevent delays and that future projects have budgetary provisions that cover their designated timeframes to avoid obstacles during implementation.
The Minister also highlighted the need to reallocate funds from projects with zero expenditure to expedite those currently under implementation. “No lapses in project execution are affordable,” he said, underscoring the urgency of maintaining momentum in development work.
Prof. Iqbal delivered a stern speech on fiscal austerity, emphasizing that, considering the government’s limited funding, project duplication must be avoided.
“Each penny must be spent vigilantly, ensuring maximum impact for national development,” he added.
The conference is a component of a larger effort to improve openness and accountability in the way PSDP money is used. With an emphasis on matching projects with national priorities, ministries, and divisions are being closely examined for their spending trends.
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The Planning Minister also reaffirmed that the results of these assessments would direct future funding and policy changes, guaranteeing that development initiatives contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s social and economic advancement.