Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives conducted its third session to review the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) allocations for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26. Led by Chairperson Senator Quratulain Marri, the committee examined project statuses across various divisions, addressed provincial disparities, and discussed issues related to project execution, funding, and policy consistency.<\/p>\n
A significant focus of the session was on regional disparities, particularly the treatment of Sindh province within the PSDP. The Chairperson voiced concerns aligned with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah\u2019s complaints of perceived unjust treatment, noting that all Pak Public Works Department (PWD) projects have been transferred to provincial authorities except those related to Sindh. The committee called upon federal authorities to clarify and address this disparity and emphasized the need for a uniform policy across provinces, highlighting that other provinces do not distinguish projects based on urban or rural status.<\/p>\n
The committee also scrutinized the status of major infrastructure projects, including the Quetta Expo Centre. Initially allocated substantial funds, the project\u2019s site was proposed to be changed after expenditures of approximately Rs. 300 million, due to concerns raised by private stakeholders and the Quetta Chamber. The Commerce Division clarified their willingness to proceed with the existing site pending the approval of the Central Development Working Party (CDWP).<\/p>\n
In addition, officials from the Information and Broadcasting Division reported that the PSDP for 2025-26 includes eight ongoing schemes and two new initiatives, with assurances that all ongoing projects would be completed within the next financial year. Similarly, the Industries & Production Division projected the completion of seven out of eight ongoing projects but expressed concern over the exclusion of two new projects approved by the Development Project Working Party (DDWP).<\/p>\n
The defence sector\u2019s projects were also reviewed, with officials indicating that out of 22 projects, 14 are scheduled for completion in the coming year. However, challenges such as budget constraints and the recent merger of the Aviation Division with the Defence Division were discussed. The officials requested additional time for fund utilization, citing delays due to the closure of the Pak PWD. The committee endorsed the inclusion of four near-completion defence projects into the PSDP and recommended that the Planning Division facilitate extended timelines for ongoing projects facing delays.<\/p>\n
The National Highway Authority (NHA) disclosed a budget of Rs. 226.9 billion for 2025-26, with a major share of Rs. 100 billion allocated for the Karachi-Quetta motorway. Notably, due to a significant reduction in overall allocations, NHA has scaled back its ongoing projects from 105 to 67. The committee urged the Planning Division to prioritize the completion of the M6 motorway, considering its strategic importance, rather than allocating funds to new projects.<\/p>\n
A contentious issue arose regarding the project for constructing additional family suites for Members of Parliament and attendant quarters at G-5\/2. The committee recommended transferring this project back to the Interior Ministry, citing that the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the current executing agency, is under the Interior Ministry\u2019s jurisdiction.<\/p>\n
During the second half of the session, discussions covered the development projects of the Housing and Works, Railways, Information Technology, Telecommunications, and Inter-Provincial Coordination Divisions. Senator Marri expressed disappointment over the Housing and Works Division\u2019s failure to transfer Sindh\u2019s Pak PWD projects equitably, noting a split decision where Sindh refused to accept six projects despite proposals to transfer urban projects to the federal government and rural ones to the provincial administration. She emphasized the need for a unified policy on project transfer and called for equitable treatment across provinces.<\/p>\n
The committee also underscored the importance of railways and information technology as growth drivers. It recommended that the Railways Division explore new funding avenues and enhance collaboration with provincial governments, while urging the IT Division to maximize fund utilization, recognizing its capacity to transform key sectors of the economy.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the committee advocated for funding allocations towards sports development, specifically endorsing the establishment of a high-performance sports academy at the Pakistan Sports Complex, inspired by gold medalist Arshad Nadeem. This initiative aims to foster national sports talent and promote youth engagement.<\/p>\n
Participants in the session included Senators Zeeshan Khanzada, Jam Saifullah Khan, Shahadat Awan, Saadia Abbasi, along with Secretary for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Awais Manzur Sumra and senior officials from relevant departments. The meeting concluded with a consensus on prioritizing provincial equity, project completion, and strategic investments across key sectors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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