The government seems all set to deliver on its election promise of ridding the country of load shedding as it has allocated Rs 130 billion for various hydel projects in Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2016-17.
The construction of various highways is the second priority for which Rs 188 billion have been allocated by the government to improve the transport and communication sectors. Health, education and higher education are also termed as ‘other priority sectors in allocation of resources.’
The PSDP 2016-17 report published by the Planning Commission, Ministry Of Planning, Development and Reform has allocated a total of Rs 800 billion for various new and ongoing projects to be undertaken by the federal government.
The energy sector has been given a major share in projects under PSDP as Diamer Basha Dam and Dasu Hydropower Project have been granted Rs 32 billion and Rs 42 billion, respectively. Another mega project, Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Project has been allocated Rs 61 billion. In two mega Liquefied natural gas (LNG) based power plants at Haveli and Baloki that will jointly add 2400 MegaWatts (MWs) are allocated Rs 60 billion. Tarbela Fourth Extension Hydropower project has been allocated Rs 16 billion while a new Jamshoro Coal Power Plant has been allocated Rs 19 billion that will add 1200 MWs to the national grid. Along with the aforementioned projects, many other power sector projects have also been approved for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016-17.
The government’s track record for spending on roads, highways and expansion of communication found its way in PSDP this year too as a whooping Rs 193 billion have been allocated for construction, dualisation, rehabilitation and feasibility study of new roads and highways. The construction of Multan-Sukkar Motorway and Burhan-D.I Khan Road are the flagship projects this year. Rs 19 billion have been allocated for the construction of Multan-Sukkar Motorway while Rs 4.7 billion has been allocated for Burhan-Havelian Expressway.
The Defense Division has been allocated Rs 2.526 billion for various projects under PSDP. Rs 500 million have been allocated to Foreign Affairs division for the construction of state guest house in Islamabad. The government has also allocated Rs 21 billion for various ongoing and new schemes of Higher Education Commission. Rs 335 million have also been allocated for Information and Broadcasting Division. The Inter-Provincial Coordination Division has been given Rs 644 million to undertake various projects, including holding of national games.
The Pakistan Railways have been allocated Rs 41 billion to complete projects related to renovation, rehabilitation, revival and upgradation of tracks including China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)-related projects.
Rs 100 billion have been exclusively allocated for special development programme for Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs) and security enhancement. The government also announced a new initiative titled Prime Minister’s Youth and Hunarmand Programme and allocated Rs 20 billion for it. A further Rs 25 billion has also been allocated for Gas Infrastructure Development Fund.
During FY 2015-16, the total budget allocation for PSDP is Rs 700 billion. This year, an increase of Rs 100 billion has been made to speed up the existing projects in a run-up to election year. The government, it seems, aims to complete energy-related and communication projects before going to ballot after two year in 2018.
