PM reviews development spending, prioritises results-based public investment

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed that public money be channelled into development schemes that produce clear and measurable outcomes, as he chaired a review of the current year’s development budget and proposals for the next Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing, the meeting examined the ongoing year’s PSDP and discussed proposed projects and funding requirements for the next fiscal year. The prime minister said ministries showing stronger performance would receive preference in the allocation of development funds.

During the review, Shehbaz identified water reservoirs and hydropower initiatives as key priorities in government development spending. He also stressed that projects aimed at expanding water storage capacity would be given significant importance in future allocations.

Priority sectors and ministry performance

The prime minister commended the performance of the ministries of railways, information technology and power during the meeting. He also instructed the relevant authorities to promote public-private partnerships in development projects.

Officials briefed the meeting on progress under the current PSDP and outlined proposed schemes for the coming fiscal year. The participants were also given updates on major national water storage and hydropower projects, including Dasu Dam, Diamer-Bhasha Dam and Mohmand Dam.

The review formed part of the government’s broader planning for development spending for the next fiscal year, with emphasis placed on performance, funding needs and priority infrastructure sectors.

Meeting with ambassadors

Separately, the prime minister also chaired a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office with Pakistan’s ambassadors to Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister EAD, Dr Syed Tauqir Shah, Adviser to the Prime Minister, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch attended the meeting.

During the session, the ambassadors briefed the prime minister on the state of bilateral relations as well as emerging opportunities and challenges in their respective host countries. The discussions covered economic diplomacy, trade and investment ties, remittances and matters relating to the Pakistani diaspora.

Shehbaz underscored the historic, economic and strategic significance of Iran and the GCC states in Pakistan’s foreign policy, according to the statement.

The two meetings reflected the government’s focus on both domestic development planning and external economic engagement, with the prime minister reviewing funding priorities at home while also receiving diplomatic briefings on Pakistan’s relations with key regional partners.