Chairman, Re-structuring Committee of Planning and Development Department, MNA Ahsan Iqbal, has stressed for accelerating development on scientific lines besides putting Punjab's economy on the right direction and for this purpose the government will provide better platforms.
Addressing the meeting of newly constituted committee here on Sunday, he said "We want to make Punjab a model province of the country with regard to development through good governance". He said that Pak economy had to suffer a setback during the last eight years due to which economic growth rate decreased.
He informed the participants of the meeting that a development forum comprising experts would be formed which will organise seminars and debates on development topics. He said that three special working groups under the chairman of P&D Board would be constituted which would submit their proposals and recommendations in the next meeting of the committee.
The first group will conduct study on regional planning board, the second board will review the performance of P&D department while the third one will seek feedback from customer departments including irrigation, agriculture health, education and others, he added. He directed that focus should be given to mid-term plans besides long-term plans. He also directed that priority should be given on 'cluster based development approach' so that information could be obtained as which of the clusters needed to grow in Punjab.
Provincial Law Minister, Rana Sanaullah said that P&D is the central planning board of the whole Punjab province in which technical-hand persons, administrative officers and political figures should be inducted to plan the development project in an effective manner. He suggested that boards also be formed at lower level. Chairman P&D, Sami Saeed told the meeting that seven working groups had been formed on the direction of Chief Minister Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif to formulate a development policy on annual development programme (ADP).
Secretary P&D Rab Nawaz told the participants of the committee meeting that efforts are being made to bring the 'Expenditure Tracking System' at district level. Later, the members of the committee presented their suggestions on how to improve the performance of Planning and Development department. Former chief secretary Punjab, A.K.Z. Sherdil, Secretary C&W Fawad Hassan Fawad, special secretary finance and other committee members were also present on the occasion.