Islamabad, Sep 10: The federal government made the decision to move more quickly to assign development projects to the provinces following the Public Works Department’s (PWD) recent abolition.
A news release stated that Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal presided over a meeting attended by senior provincial officials, the Secretary of Planning, and others. The minister stated that only the projects were being moved and that funding for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) would not end. He also ordered provinces to provide the names of the ministries in charge of the projects that will be transferred within a week.
According to the minister, Balochistan had already finished the requisite paperwork, and other provinces needed to submit all the information within a week. He stated that clearing legal obstacles and guaranteeing project completion on schedule were the committee’s goals.
He said district-level deputy commissioners will act as focal points to enable quick project transfers to provinces. Within four to five days, they would randomize contracts and get no-objection certificates from contractors, working with PWD and relevant agencies. The minister stated, “It is anticipated that this decision will ensure timely completion of development projects, ultimately benefiting the people.”