ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday stressed that public money should be utilised on development projects that deliver tangible results and directly benefit people.
Chairing a meeting to review the current year’s development budget and proposed projects under the upcoming Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the next fiscal year, the prime minister said ministries showing better performance would be given priority in the allocation of development funds.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing, Mr Sharif said water reservoirs and hydropower schemes remained among the government’s top priorities and directed authorities to give special attention to projects aimed at enhancing water storage capacity.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Hanif Abbasi, Sardar Awais Leghari, Abdul Aleem Khan and other senior officials.
The prime minister appreciated Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb over the successful launch of Panda Bonds and their positive response in the market.
During the briefing, the meeting was informed about progress on the current PSDP and proposed development schemes for the next fiscal year. Officials also briefed participants on major national water storage and hydropower projects, including Dasu Dam, Diamer-Bhasha Dam and Mohmand Dam.
Mr Sharif also directed the authorities to encourage public-private partnerships in development projects and praised the performance of the ministries of railways, information technology and power.
