Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said the country’s National Development Outlay has increased by fifty percent in two years.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Thursday, he noted that the national development outlay was 2.832 trillion rupees in 2023–24 and it has now risen to 4.2 trillion rupees.
He attributed this increase to enhanced revenue collection, explaining that the provinces receive a sixty percent share in the collected revenue, which has led to a rise in their annual development plans.
The Minister for Planning said our five-year plan envisaged allocation of 4.2 trillion rupees for the development budget in the fifth year, but this target has been achieved in the second year, describing it as encouraging.
Highlighting the priorities, Ahsan Iqbal said it has been decided to put Balochistan on the path of accelerated development. He said two hundred and thirty billion rupees have been earmarked in the development budget for projects in Balochistan with the aim to improve its connectivity.
He said our next thrust is on water sector and completion of water reservoirs. Referring to the weaponization of water by India, he made it clear that India will not be allowed to stop water. He however emphasized that Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dams will be completed on war footing.
The Minister for Planning said infrastructure projects that improve regional connectivity is also our priority.
Ahsan Iqbal said the government is focusing on equipping the youth with the latest skills. He said a program will be implemented to train over two hundred thousand youth in IT skills.
He mentioned that Elimination of Hepatitis program has also initiated in the health sector at a cost of sixty four billion rupees. He said Jinnah Medical Complex and Daanish University will be established in the federal capital.
He said a special economic zone one five hundred acres of land will be established in Karachi.
Ahsan Iqbal said Uraan Pakistan framework is being taken forward. He said our target is to achieve sustainable growth. He said the country’s economic growth remained 2.7 percent in the current fiscal year and our target for the next fiscal year is 4.2 percent.
