ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday stressed that public funds must be invested in development projects that produce tangible and measurable results.
He chaired a meeting to review the current year’s development budget and proposed projects under the upcoming Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for the next fiscal year, the media wing of the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that ministries demonstrating better performance would be prioritized in the allocation of funds for development projects.
He said water reservoirs and hydropower projects were among the government’s top priorities for development spending and stressed that water reservoir improvement projects would be given high priority.
The Prime Minister praised the performance of the ministries of railways, information technology and energy and asked the authorities to encourage public-private partnerships in development projects.
The meeting participants were briefed on the progress made under the current PSDP and were briefed on the proposed development projects and funding required for the next financial year.
The relevant officials presented updates on major national water storage and hydropower projects, including Dasu Dam, Diamer-Bhasha Dam and Mohmand Dam.
The Prime Minister also chaired a meeting with Pakistan’s ambassadors to Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister EAD, Dr Syed Tauqir Shah, Advisor to the Prime Minister, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Minister Amna Baloch were also present.
During the meeting, the ambassadors briefed the Prime Minister on the current status of bilateral relations, opportunities and emerging challenges in their respective countries.
Issues related to strengthening economic diplomacy, strengthening trade and investment ties, remittances and Pakistani diaspora were discussed.
The Prime Minister highlighted the historical, economic and strategic importance of GCC countries and Iran in Pakistan’s foreign policy.
