Planning Commission should focus on short, long term initiatives to meet challenges: PM

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday said that all future planning and projects must incorporate government’s short and long term initiatives announced by him on the floor of the House to ensure food and energy security as well as to meet the challenges posed by the global economy. He was chairing a high level meeting of the Planning Commission here at the PM House.
The Prime Minister underlined the need for holistic, integrated, consultative, coordinated and home grown approach for economic growth and infrastructure development.
He said that effective coordination amongst various ministries and stakeholders was imperative to overcome the problems that are causing delay in the implementation of the projects.
He further said that all future projects should be aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the people.
The Prime Minister said that the planning commission should focus on developing smaller dams across the country for better water management.
He also emphasised on preparing appropriate plans for the brick-lining of the water channels to reduce water wastage.
He further called upon the need to increase productivity of major crops through comprehensive strategy including the awareness campaign.
The Prime Minister said that priority of the new democratic government is to improve the living standards of the people through provision of basic necessities of life including employment opportunities and better health facilities.
The Prime Minister also asked the planning commission to prepare a feasibility report to open up three more Cadet Colleges in the southern parts of Punjab in addition to the thirteen already approved colleges in other parts of the country.
He further asked that sewerage and water supply problem of Multan city be addressed on priority to save the heritage of one of the oldest cities of the country.
Earlier, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Dr. Mohammad Akram Sheikh while giving presentation on the working of the planning commission informed the meeting about the future plans in various sectors of national economy.
The Deputy Chairman also submitted that all key issues would require directions from the government for formulating the required policies in consultation with the relevant organisations and stakeholders.