ISLAMABAD:
The chairman of a Senate committee has called for a ban on all new Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) projects, in view of the growing number of “launch” projects.
A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Planning and Special Initiatives was held on Friday under the chairmanship of Senator Qurat-ul-Ain Marri.
The committee was earlier informed about PSDP funds allocated for Punjab projects.
The Punjab government has requested Rs 150 billion from the federal government through the PSDP. The Ministry of Finance stated that details on the funds allocated for the third quarter have not yet been received.
The planning secretary informed the panel that Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal approved the PSDP fund allocations a day earlier and the details have been sent and will reach the Finance Ministry soon.
Speaking on the occasion, Marri said that there should be a ban on new PSDP projects due to the increasing progress of PSDP projects. He said the minister should attend the committee meeting to brief about the ‘Uraan Pakistan’ initiative. “The minister needs to address several unanswered questions,” he added.
The committee was informed that a total of 170 new projects are included in the PSDP, but only 25 projects have been issued NOCs so far.
The committee directed the Punjab government to include its participation in PSDP projects. The panel was informed that ministries have used less than their allocated budgets.
The Investment Board has spent 7% and the Ministry of Climate Change 12% of their budgets in six months. The Anti-Narcotics Ministry and the Religious Affairs Ministry have spent nothing compared to their allocations.
The committee subsequently ordered all ministries to accelerate the utilization of the PSDP budget.
The PSDP is a key framework used by the Government of Pakistan to finance and manage development projects and initiatives in various sectors across the country.
PSDP funds are allocated to develop infrastructure, improve public services and support economic growth. It focuses on areas such as health, education, transportation, energy, water resources and agriculture.
