NA Committee advocates for transparency for equitable national development

ISLAMABAD, July 09 (SABAH): In a bid to enhance equitable national development, Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani, Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, emphasized the need for transparency in Public Sector Development Projects (PSDP). He directed that the Committee be kept informed of any changes in PSDP and highlighted the importance of transparent provincial distribution of development projects for equitable resource allocation. The Chairman also reiterated the Committee’s commitment to effectively oversee the Ministry for the public’s benefit.

These remarks were made during the second meeting of the Standing Committee on Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, held on Tuesday in Parliament House under the Chairmanship of Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani.

Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning and Development, emphasised the importance of peace, political stability, and policy continuity for Pakistan’s prosperity. He introduced the “5 E” framework as crucial for future growth of the country, focusing on Exports-led growth, E-Pakistan, Environment and Climate Change, Energy, and Equity, Ethics, and Empowerment.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Development provided a comprehensive overview of the Ministry’s functions and its attached departments. He elucidated that while the Ministry is responsible for planning and coordination, project implementation falls under the purview of other ministries. However, the Ministry is responsible for monitoring and evaluation of these projects.

The Committee raised concerns over Karachi’s industrial sector decline due to the energy crisis and identified corruption as a major cause of public sector project delays. It was recommended that priority be given to completing ongoing projects rather than reallocating funds to new projects, to avoid cost escalations and ensure timely completion. Regional disparities in South Punjab’s development weas also discussed.

The Committee was briefed on the status of the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD), currently undergoing dissolution. It was decided that PWD representatives would be called to provide updates on their existing projects.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Ms. Naz Baloch, Major (retd) Tahir Iqbal, Muhammad Ameer Sultan, Ali Asghar Khan, Yousaf Khan, Dawar Khan Kundi, Ch. Muhammad Shahbaz Babar, and Muhammad Moazzam Ali Khan along with senior officials from the Ministry.