Islamabad, Nov 29: Planning Minister Urges Prompt Execution of PSDP Projects to Ensure Timely Development. Ahsan Iqbal, the Federal Minister for Planning, presided over a high-level meeting on Friday to discuss the Public Sector Development Programme’s (PSDP) 2024–25 first quarter progress.
The gathering is one of several sessions designed to evaluate how well different ministries are carrying out development programs. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research, National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division, National Heritage and Culture Division, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Petroleum Division, and SUPARCO were among the important ministries and divisions that provided updates on their individual PSDP projects during Friday’s session.
Under the PSDP framework, the federal government had approved Rs. 155 billion for ministries and divisions in the first quarter. The minister emphasized how crucial it is to make sure these monies are used wisely, with an emphasis on attaining measurable results.
As he reviewed the projects, he stressed the need of completing them on time, especially ongoing initiatives, which should ideally be completed by the deadline specified in PC-1. While new projects must have financial provisions that stretch their specified deadlines to avert execution challenges, he instructed that adequate funding be supplied to these projects to prevent delays.
The minister also emphasized the necessity of reallocating funding from zero-cost initiatives to accelerate those that are already underway. The need of keeping development work moving forward was emphasized by his statement that “no lapses in project execution are affordable.”
Given the government’s limited financial resources, he stated in a stern message on fiscal prudence that it is imperative to avoid duplicating initiatives. He went on to say, “Every penny must be spent carefully to ensure maximum impact for national development.”
The conference is a component of a larger effort to improve openness and accountability in the way PSDP money are used. Ministries and divisions are being scrutinized for their spending patterns, with a focus on aligning projects with national priorities.
The minister further reiterated that the outcomes of these reviews would guide future allocations and policy adjustments, ensuring that development projects contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s economic and social growth.
