- Premier directs ministers to work for sectoral reforms, improving public service departments, says govt’s programme for reducing load shedding most comprehensive
Brimming with hopes of boosting country’s exports and eliminating electricity load shedding through “the most comprehensive plan in the history of Pakistan”, the prime minister Thursday directed the concerned ministers to focus on sectoral reforms and work for enhancing the efficacy of public service departments.
While chairing the cabinet meeting, the premier spoke about various methods by which the country’s economy could improve. “We want to double our exports. In fact, we want to increase them four-fold and eight-fold, and this is doable,” he said.
The prime minister directed the Planning Commission to prioritise sectoral reforms. He said exports should be boosted in order to enhance foreign exchange reserves and ensure balance of payment.
REFORMS NEEDED:
Sharif also directed the Ministry of Planning and Development to come up with a series of new reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency of public service departments, removing the bottlenecks. He asked Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal to priorities reforms so that those public sector departments that have major issues are addressed first.
Stressing the need to base planning on modern lines, the premier was also appreciative of the new inductions made to improve the efficiency of different organisations. He also noted the communication and development projects mentioned by Iqbal and said the government was committed to complete all these on time and within the allocated budgets.
NO DELAY IN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS:
Furthermore, the premier also directed that development projects worth billions of rupees should be completed within stipulated period so that $150 billion target of exports under the Vision 2025 could be met.
The prime minister pointed out that delay in completion of projects leads to escalation of cost. Neelum-Jhelum project was started by the previous government and delay in its completion has increased its cost manifold, he observed. Therefore efforts should be geared up for timely completion of projects to avoid escalation in cost, he directed.
Sharif said that energy and infrastructure projects, including development of Gwadar as a state-of-the-art port, will prove to be a game changer for the country while a comprehensive plan has been chalked out to address electricity shortages. He added that during his visit to China this week, agreements will be signed on projects relating to economic corridor and the two countries will sign a new power project of 400 MW.
On a humanitarian note, the prime minister also asked the authorities concerned to arrest the culprits involved in burning to death a Christian couple in Kot Radha Kishan, Kasur.
REPORTS PRESENTED:
Earlier, minister for planning and development presented a comprehensive briefing on Vision 2025 and various projects that were destined to bring about a positive change in the country.
Ahsan Iqbal said that addressing a handful of people from atop a container could not bring about a change, but it was these projects that could bring real change.
The Ministry of Water and Power also assured the cabinet that steps were being taken by distribution companies (DISCOs) regarding the issue of over-billing of electricity.
The water and power minister said that they would also make additional efforts to address complaints through an effective system at the DISCO-level.
