Prime Minister directs Planning Commission to focus on smaller dams

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has directed that the Planning Commission should focus on smaller dams across the country for better water management. He gave this direction while chairing a meeting of the Planning Commission here on Saturday at the Prime Minister House, according to a statement.
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, the statement added.
The Prime Minister underlined the need for holistic, integrated, consultative, co-ordinated and home-grown approach for economic growth and infrastructure development. He said that effective co-ordination among the various ministries and stakeholders was imperative to overcome the problems that are causing delay in the implementation of the projects. He added that all future projects should be aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the people.
He directed 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 brick lining of the water channels to reduce wastage of water.
He stressed the need to increase productivity of major crops through comprehensive strategy including the awareness campaign. Gillani said the priority of the new democratic government is to improve the living standard of the people through provision of basic necessities of life including employment opportunities and better health facilities.
He directed the Planning Commission to prepare a feasibility report to open up three more Cadet Colleges in the southern part of Punjab in addition to the 13 already approved colleges in other parts of the country. He further asked that the sewerage and water supply problem of Multan city be addressed on priority basis to save the heritage of one of the oldest cities of the country.
Earlier, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman 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.