ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal has delivered a presentation to the federal cabinet pertaining to the ministry’s performance during the last 17 months and its future agenda.
The minister highlighted that when the present government assumed the office, Planning and Development Division lacked autonomy and independent role and was a part of the Ministry of Finance. There was lack of clarity about its role and planning commission was operating without Members and particularly, chief economist’s position was vacant since 2006.
The minister told the cabinet that the Planning Commission has been revived to play a leadership role. Quality human resource has been employed while, maintaining merit, integrity and transparency.
The minister emphasised that a roadmap for future, Vision 2025 and its 5+7 Framework has been launched with buy-in of all stakeholders and is being implemented with full vigour. He explained the design and functions of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit that is being established in the commission.
The minister highlighted that effective scrutiny of projects through professional analysis by CDWP has ensured best value for money. As rationalisations of the PC1 have saved Rs 490 billion that is almost equal to one year PSDP budget. Similarly, output of CDWP and ECNEC for approving projects is also unprecedented. During the last seventeen months, planning commission held 31 meetings and approved 240 projects worth Rs 3801 billion as compared to 14 meetings and 181 projects worth Rs 813 billion during the corresponding period of the previous government.
He also underlined that under guidance of the PM, the PSDP Review was carried out resulting in fiscal space of Rs 74 billion from PSDP 2013-14. This amount was saved by closing/ reducing allocation of low priority projects. The amount thus saved was re-allocated to other important projects with the approval of the PM.
Last but not the least, the minister updated the Cabinet about China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – Where Planning Commission remained instrumental to steer this project from vision to portfolio, and now making efforts to convert it into reality.
The minister updated the cabinet that planning commission’s own restructuring and reforms are underway. The ministry has developed its own ministerial vision with mutual consensus of stakeholders. Organisation Chart has been rehashed along with Ministry’s KPIs, which have been defined and would be cascaded till each key designation level. Charters for each member/sector in line with the ministerial vision and KPIs are being chalked out. Job descriptions are being aligned accordingly. Besides this Officer and Employee of the Month Award Scheme has been restarted. Besides, the commission is also working on the implementation of citizen client charters and institutional and civil service reforms to enhance the effectiveness of the government.
