Meeting of sub-committee constituted by NEC to review PSDP 2013-14 was held on Friday.
The meeting was presided by Planning Commission and Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Deputy Chairman Professor Ahsan Iqbal. Representatives of chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP), Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) prime minister attended the meeting.
The committee was constituted by NEC to review PSDP 2013-14 allocations. Mandate of the committee was to reallocate PSDP grants in their respective provinces based on priority given by provincial governments.
Ahsan Iqbal while reviewing progress on various ongoing development projects by PSDP said, “Federal government development strategy accords highest priority to needs of the provinces. PSDP review has been completed in consultation with provincial governments to incorporate their preferences. Next year PSDP will be developed in consultation with all stakeholders to reflect our national development goals”.
Representatives of provinces also gave their input. Ahsan Iqbal asked the planning commission to note the observations of the provinces and directed to accommodate their suggestion wherever possible. He directed that land acquisition for Bhasha Dam must be completed till December 2013 to avoid cost overrun.
Commenting on electricity generation projects he advised WAPDA chairman to expedite finalisation of policy for small river projects to be opened for private sector for investment in order to tap the hydroelectric potential of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. The WAPDA chairman assured him of formulating such a policy.
Ahsan Iqbal also expressed his displeasure over slow progress of Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB) and asked the concerned authorities to expedite pending cases. He told the KP representatives that Lowari Tunnel was of strategic importance not only for the people of KP but for the country and should be completed as early as possible.
He also directed to prioritise the projects which link Gawadar Port to the rest of the country. The minister reviewed work in Diamer area and instructed to speed up the formation of separate wing of GB scouts for maintaining law and order situation.”This area is vital because of Diamer-Bhasha Dam,” he added. He instructed the officers to coordinate with Interior ministry in this regard.
“Priority of the present government is completion of ongoing projects to avoid cost overrun. We must discourage inclusion of new projects in PSDP till the previous projects are completed,” he opined.
The minister also emphasised on completing all such ongoing projects which were lingering for years. The meeting reviewed various ongoing projects in consultation with all chief ministers and other stakeholders.
