ISLAMAABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the development should not be politicized as it is for prosperity of every citizen of the Country.
“Pakistan is now among fastest growing economies,” the prime minister said in Islamabad on Friday while addressing the National Economic Council (NEC), the highest economic policy-making forum.
The prime minister said that Pakistan’s economic indicators have significantly improved and this is acknowledged by international financial rating institutions. He said that the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 5.28 percent for the current financial year is commendable.
Nawaz Sharif said that the federal and provincial governments are working in harmony for development of the Country.
The prime minister said that during the Belt and Road Forum in China, all the Chief Ministers accompanied me and the world saw that Pakistan unanimously stands for development and it was a very positive message that we are united. He informed the participants of the meeting that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects are on fast track.
Sharif said that the federal government is focusing on energy projects. He said that not only power supply is priority of the government but it is providing affordable power supply for consumers.
The prime minister said that the federal government is also focusing on a balanced mix of sources for energy including liquefied natural gas (LNG), Coal, Hydel, Solar and Wind.
Describing infrastructure as key to development, he said that the government is concentrating on roads and communication networks. He said that the government has adopted people centric approach for development planning.
Nawaz Sharif noted that the present government has increased the provincial share in Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the next financial year three times more as compared to 2012-13.
The prime minister said that Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA), Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are as important to the federal government as all other provinces.
The NEC meeting is expected to approve the annual development plan for the next financial year besides reviewing the achievements of the ongoing plan. The Annual Plan Coordination Committee has already recommended to the NEC a development programme worth Rs 2,113 billion for the next financial year.
