In a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiative s Ahsan Iqbal, it was decided to expedite the process of transferring ongoing development projects under the dissolved Public Works Department (PWD) to the provincial governments. The meeting was attended by the Secretary of Planning and senior officials from various provinces. It was agreed that the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) projects would be transferred to the provincial governments as soon as possible so that work on these projects could continue without any hindrance. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that only the projects are being transferred to the provinces but the funding allocated to these projects under the PSDP will continue. He directed all provinces to inform within a week, the names of the ministries to which these ongoing projects will be transferred. The ongoing PWD projects in the federal capital will also be transferred to the CDA and the relevant ministries. He clarified that the ongoing projects under the PWD are not being terminated but are merely being transferred to different institutions. Ahsan Iqbal appreciated that Balochistan has completed its work in this regard first and the remaining provinces should also provide complete details within a week. He said that the purpose of this committee was to resolve the difficulties faced according to the law. To expedite the transfer to the provinces, they will be divided according to districts and the Deputy Commissioner in each district will be made the focal person who, along with the PWD and the relevant departments, will complete all agreements randomly within four to five days. No Objection Certificates (NOCs) will be obtained from the contractors stating that they have no objection to the change of sponsor agency. It is hoped that this decision will result in the timely completion of development projects and benefit the public, the minister affirmed.
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