ISLAMABAD, May 19 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz
Sharif Friday said his government was pursuing a people-centric approach for development and has increased provincial share in Public Sector Development Programme 2017-18, which was three times more as compared to FY 2012-13.
The Prime Minister was chairing a meeting of the National Economic Council, attended by Prime Minister of AJ&K, Governor KPK, Chief Ministers of Punjab, Sind, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan besides the Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan, Federal and Provincial Ministers also present.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan’s economic indicators have significantly improved and were being acknowledged by international financial rating institutions.
He said the growth rate of 5.28% was commendable and Pakistan has now emerged as among the fastest growing economies.
He said federal and provincial governments were working in harmony for the development of the country. He said projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) were also on the fast track.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said during the Belt and Road Forum at China all Chief Ministers accompanied him and the world saw that Pakistan was united and unanimous for development. He termed it a very positive message.
“We are focusing on Energy projects. Not only power supply is our priority but we are providing affordable power supply for consumers,” the Prime Minister said.
“We are focusing on a balanced mix of sources for energy including LNG, coal, hydel, solar and wind,” he added. Prime Minister Sharif said infrastructure was the key to development and the government was focusing on roads and communication networks. He said development should not be politicized as Pakistan’s development was everyone’s prosperity.
The Prime Minister said FATA, AJK and Gilgit Baltistan were as important for the federal government as other provinces. He said rural development projects in health, education and other social sectors were being given special attention.
APP/Hamza/mka
VNS Islamabad
