KARACHI (May 28 2009): The country has come out of the financial crisis and, with sufficient fiscal space, Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for the next fiscal year will be of about Rs 500 billion. This was stated by Federal Minister for Information, Qamar Zaman Kaira, while briefing newsmen about the decisions at a meeting of senior bureaucrats of Sindh, presided over by President Zardari at Chief Minister House here on Wednesday.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, and Federal Minister Information Qamar Zaman Kaira were also present in the meeting besides high officials of Sindh government. Kaira said that PSDP for the current fiscal year was fixed much higher but only Rs 220 billion has been utilised. He said that the President told the meeting that work on NFC Awards would begin soon after the presentation of federal budget. There will be no resource shortage, but need is to improve the mechanism and execution of funds on projects in an optimal way.
"President Asif Ali Zardari has also made it clear that local governments system will continue in the country. However, it would be improved through reform process and consultation with all the four provinces," Kaira said.
The President formed a committee headed by Advisor to PM on Finance, Shaukat Tarin, to sort out all issues relating to Thar coal projects and speedy work. "Thar coal is a property of Sindh and all hurdles in the development of coal reserves would be removed," Zardari said. Kaira said that President urged the bureaucracy to ensure good governance and work together to build a better Pakistan for the next generation.
The President, while paying tributes to ZA Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, said that he was following in their footsteps and policies to make Pakistan stronger, he added. He said that the President has also urged for better facilities for the farmers and said that quality seeds, on time water availability, and latest technology for better production should be provided to them.
"We want to improve the life style of farmers by giving them fair return on their production, as we believe if we will facilitate farmers they will provide us food security," he added. The President said that bureaucracy should emulate and learn lessons from success stories of the world and implement them in Pakistan. "We have to work together for a victory because there is no option for defeat. We have to win this war and deliver service to the public and we have to achieve prosperity, political and economic stability", the President added.
Kaira said that power crisis has not been created by the present government. However, the government is working on the issue by establishing new power plants. All new mega power generation plants are being setting up at Karachi, he added. The President said that bureaucracy should remove hurdles in the way of Sindh development and world on public-private partnership for a speedy work.
