ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday stressed that public funds should be invested in development projects that produce tangible and measurable results.
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 PM Office Media Wing said in a statement.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized that ministries that demonstrate better performance will be given priority in allocating funds for development projects.
He said water reservoirs and hydropower projects were among the government’s top priorities in development spending and emphasized that high priority would be given to water reservoir improvement projects.
The prime minister praised the performance of the ministries of railways, information technology and energy and directed authorities to encourage public-private partnerships in development projects.
The meeting participants were briefed on the progress made in the current PSDP and on the proposed development schemes and funding required for the next fiscal year.
The concerned officials presented updates on major national hydropower and water storage projects including Dasu, Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.
The Prime Minister 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 Ishaq Dar, Ahad Khan Cheema, EAD Minister Dr Syed Tauqir Shah, Advisor to the Prime Minister SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch were also present.
During the meeting, the ambassadors briefed the prime minister on the current state of bilateral relations, emerging opportunities and challenges in their respective countries.
Issues related to strengthening economic diplomacy, improving trade and investment ties, remittances and Pakistani diaspora were discussed.
The prime minister emphasized the historical, economic and strategic importance of GCC countries and Iran in Pakistan’s foreign policy.
