Government prepares comprehensive plan for effective implementation and monitoring development spending after increasing 40% allocations for development projects in FY 2021-22. Prime Minister Imran Khan chairs meeting on effective utilisation of Public Sector Development Program. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Hammad Azhar, Asad Umer, Murad Saeed, Omar Ayub, SAPMs Malik Amin Aslam, Dr. Faisal Sultan and senior officials. Finance Minister Shaukat Fayaz Tareen attended the meeting via video link. The meeting was informed that a flexible system has been devised to simplify releases of funds in order to fast track implementation of development schemes. Ministries have been empowered to meet demands relating to releases of funds according to their requirements. The meeting was apprised that in the last fiscal year the rate of expenditure remained at 104% which shows significant progression in development spending. Moreover, inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral monitoring resulted in utilisation of Funds amounting to Rs. 140 billion that were diverted to major projects of national importance thereby resulting in saving of taxpayers money and eliminating wastage. The meeting was informed that Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives is constantly monitoring the implementation of projects to ensure effective and timely utilisation of funds. It was apprised that efforts are underway to ensure timely completion and provision of funds to projects in the current fiscal year for which 70% funds are allocated for ongoing and 30% for new projects. In total, funds are being ensured for 351 development projects this year. Capacity of line ministries is being enhanced to ensure regular monitoring of projects throughout the fiscal year. Moreover, third-party auditing is being practiced for flagship projects to ensure transparency and timely completion. It was informed that Planning Commission has gone completely on-line and PC-Is and PC-II documents are no longer accepted in hard print form. Secretaries of all divisions will ensure submission of cash & work plans till 31st July and performance will be judged on the basis of funds utilisation. The meeting was apprised regarding progress on E-Procurement and E- Payment systems. Ministry of Planning will provide quarterly updates to PM Office in these systems. The Prime Minister stated that it was Government’s prime responsibility to ensure correct utilisation of taxpayers’ money. He stated that implementation of E-systems be ensured as it will help eliminate corruption. PM directed that procedures for development utilisation be further improved and financial resources be allocated on the basis of prioritisation of projects.
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