September 25, 2018 (MLN): Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Reforms in a meeting chaired by Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani has decided to reduce the development budget from Rs.800 billion to Rs.675 billion

The Committee meeting that took place today, was attended by Senator Hidayat Ullah, Advisor to Planning Commission Asif Sheikh and Senator Momin Khan Afridi.

During the meeting, Senator Hidayat Ullah asked the Planning Commission highlight the criteria for categorizing the projects as approved or non-approved.

Previously, the Committee had discussed in detail the overall PSDP and considered the recommendations of the members on proposed finance supplementary amendment bill 2018 related to PSDP.

According to the Advisor to Planning Commission Asif Sheikh it has been decided that the newly approved projects in the revised PSDP will not be funded, nor will those projects that have already received up to 10% of their allotted budget.

In addition to this, the Bannu Airport development plan, CAD and CDA projects, replacement of lifts at presidential house and a project of the Department of meteorology, worth Rs.12 billion, have all been shelved.

In total, 400 projects have been discontinued during the current financial year. These cutbacks are expected to save Rs.55 billion.

Senator Momin Khan Afridi pointed out that the funds issued for FATA are used for the development plans otherwise. He said that these funds should be used for the purpose they are issued for.

A total of 1 trillion has been allotted for FATA’s ten-year development program, broken down into an annual allocation of Rs.10 billion, informed Advisor Asif Sheikh

Senator for FATA, Mr. Hidayat Ullah expressed dismay at this decision, saying with an annual issuance of Rs.10 billion, the development plan cannot be completed, even in a century. He added that even after the election of the new government, FATA has not been integrated with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Senator Hidayat Ullah informed the committee that FATA is running the old methods and more money is required for its development. Chairman Committee Senator Durrani agreed with him.

Apart from this, Mr. Asif Sheikh said that, “CPEC is their number one priority and no deductions have been made from that project.” Moreover the approved plans of CDW will not be discontinued either.

However, Gwadar Fish Harbor plan has been shelved, despite chairman committee opinion that this program is very important for Gwadar as the general public’s betterment depends on the completion of this project.

Asif Sheikh suggested that Gwadar Fish Harbor program can be continued with the funds allocated for CPEC.

A big amount has been set aside for the construction and establishment of Gwadar University, and the Higher Education commission (HEC) is required to update the Committee regarding the location of the university.

Chairman Committee also asked for a copy of the Gwadar master Plan.

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