November 23, 2018 (MLN): Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform, Makhdum khusro Bakhtyar has emphasized on the need to devise a holistic strategy for development and upgradation of infrastructure across the country and to fill connectivity gaps for sustained national growth.
In a recently issued press release, the Minister chaired a meeting to discuss and review infrastructure projects under CPEC framework, PSDP funded projects and identify innovative funding mechanisms to finance the infrastructure projects.
The Minister said that Ministry of Planning is in the process of finalizing the 12th Five Year Plan and there is a need to set priorities on how to go about developing infrastructure under an effective planning
The Minister called for making concerted efforts to find innovative ways of financing infrastructure projects in view of limited fiscal space for implementation of projects through PSDP.
The Minister further added that, there is a need to explore innovative funding options like Public Private Partnership (PPP) or Build Operate Transfer (BOT) mode in the transport and logistics sector.
‘This will relieve burden on PSDP and also facilitate provision of adequate funds for the ongoing infrastructure projects for their timely completion’, said the Minister.
Moreover, he stressed on finding ways for generating revenue by utilizing existing asset base for financing and effective implementation projects pertaining to roads and highways.
