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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday placed water reserves and hydropower at the top of the country&#39;s national development budget, ordering that water storage projects receive first priority for available funds, according to the Prime Minister&#39;s Office. According to a statement from the PMO, PM Sharif chaired a review of Pakistan&#39;s Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), the government&#39;s annual infrastructure and development spending plan. He directed that budget allocations be tied to results, with funding going on a priority basis only to top-performing ministries. The meeting was briefed on progress at three major dam projects: Dasu, Diamer Bhasha, and Mohmand. The railways, IT, and power ministries were singled out for praise. PM Sharif also called for broader use of public-private partnerships in development projects. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb received recognition for the successful launch of Pakistan&#39;s Panda Bonds (debt instruments sold in China&#39;s capital market) and their reception among investors. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers, including Ahsan Iqbal, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Hanif Abbasi, as well as senior officials.

People watch the Rawal Dam after the spillway opened due to heavy monsoon rains, in Islamabad on August 31, 2020. (AFP)

Climate & Environment

PM Sharif chairs a review of Pakistan's Public Sector Development Program; briefed on progress at three major dam projects: Dasu, Diamer Bhasha, and Mohmand

Articles tagged with "Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP)"

Pakistan prioritizes water storage, hydropower in development budget