ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday stressed that public funds must be invested in development projects that deliver tangible and measurable results.
He 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 statement.
During the meeting, the prime minister emphasised that ministries demonstrating better performance would be given priority in the allocation of funds for development projects.
He said water reservoirs and hydropower projects were among the government’s top priorities in the development spending and stressed that water reservoirs enhancement projects would be accorded high priority.
The prime minister praised the performance of the ministries of railways, information technology and power and directed authorities to encourage public-private partnerships in the development projects.
The participants of the meeting were 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 officials concerned presented updates on major national water storage and hydropower projects, including Dasu Dam, Diamer-Bhasha Dam and Mohmand Dam.
The PM also chaired a meeting with Pakistan’s ambassadors to Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister lshaq Dar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister EAD, Dr Syed Tauqir Shah, Advisor to the PM, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch were also present.
During the meeting, the ambassadors briefed the premier on the current state of bilateral relations, emerging opportunities and challenges in their respective countries.
Issues relating to the strengthening economic diplomacy, enhancing trade and investment ties, remittances, and Pakistani diaspora, were discussed.
The prime minister emphasised the historic, economic and strategic importance of the GCC countries and Iran in Pakistan’s foreign policy.
