Islamabad : The Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives continued its third session under the Chairpersonship of Senator Quratulain Marri to review the PSDP for the year 2025-26.
Chairperson of the Committee echoed Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah’s concerns over the unjust treatment meted out to Sindh in the PSDP. All the Pak PWD projects have been handed over to the concerned provinces, except the projects pertaining to Sindh Province, she asserted. The Committee asked for the Federal Minister’s input on the subject matter.
The Committee also highlighted the matter of the change of site of the ‘Quetta Expo Centre’ after an initial expenditure of around Rs. 300 million. Commerce Division officials stated that the private stakeholders, including the Quetta Chamber, raised concerns over the existing site. However, the Commerce Division is willing to pursue construction on the existing site, and the decision of CDWP is awaited in this regard.
Information and Broadcasting officials stated that a total of 08 ongoing and two new schemes are included in PSDP 2025-26. However, officials ensured that all the ongoing schemes will be completed in the next financial year.
The Committee also reviewed the PSDP projects of the Industries & Production Division for the year 2025-26. Officials stated that out of a total of 08 ongoing projects, 07 projects will be completed in the upcoming financial year. However, they echoed concerns over the non-inclusion of two new DDWP-approved projects in PSDP 2025-26.
Furthermore, the Committee was briefed by the Defence Division on the ongoing and new schemes for the year 2025-26. Of the total 22 projects, 14 projects will be completed in the financial year 2025-26. However, officials highlighted financial crunches which will occur because of low allocation and the merger of the Aviation Division with the Defence Division. Officials also requested the provision of additional time for the utilization of funds, as the funds were not utilized due to Pak PWD closure. The Committee recommended the Planning Division to include four on going project of Defence Division in PSDP 2025-26 as the projects are near completion and could not completed due to Pak PWD closure. The Committee further recommended to provide extra time for funds utilization.
Reviewing the NHA projects for the PSDP 2025-26, the Chairman NHA informed that NHA has been allocated Rs. 226.9 billion for the next financial year, of which Rs. 100 billion has been allocated for the Karachi-Quetta motorway. With a phenomenal shrink in NHA allocation, NHA has reduced the size of its ongoing schemes from 105 to 67 for the year 2025-26, the Chairman NHA added. Only advance mobilization would be possible with the current allocation of Rs. 15 billion for M6, he further added. The Committee recommended the Planning Division to allocate the funds for M6 completion owing to its strategic importance, rather than allocating funds for new projects.
While discussing the “Construction of Additional Family Suites for the Members of Parliament including 500 Servant Quarters at G-5/2” project, the Chairperson Committee recommended the Planning Division to transfer back the project to the Interior Ministry, as the CDA executing agency falls under the Interior Ministry.
In the Second half of Third Session, the Committee reviewed the PSDP projects of Housing and Works,Railways,Information Technology and Telecommunications and Inter Provincial Coordination Division.
Senator Quratulain Marri lamented the Housing and Works officials for not handing over of Pak PWD projects to Sindh Province like other provinces. Officials stated that a Committee was formed to determine the fate of 27 projects pertaining to Sindh and whereas it was decided to transfer concerning Urban Sindh should be transfer to Federal Government and the projects pertaining to Rural Sindh should be handed over to Provincial Government. However, Sindh refused to accept 06 projects and demanded transfer of all the projects pertaining to Sindh. Senator Quratulain Marri inquired as to whether the distinction of Urban and Rural is being followed in other provinces. To which, Officials stated that such distinction is not being followed in other provinces. The Committee while recommending the transfer of all projects to the Sindh,calls for the adoption of unified policy across the country.
Highlighting the role of IT and railways for the country’s development, the Committee recommended the railways to explore new avenues for financing while enhancing partnerships with the provinces. The Committee also directed the IT division to increase fund’s utilization as the IT has a potential of transforming major key sectors.
While Discussing the PSDP projects of Inter Provincial Coordination Division, the Committee recommended the Planning division to allocate funds for the “Establishment of Arshad Nadeem/Shahbaz Sharif High Performance Sports Academy at Pakistan Sports Complex” as the Gold Medalist Arshad Nadeem inspires young generation and such projects could play a pivotal role in enhancing sports activities around the country.
In attendance were Senators Zeeshan Khanzada,Jam Saifullah Khan,Shahadat Awan,Saadia Abbasi,Secretary for PD&SI Awais Manzur Sumra and Senior Officials of relevant departments.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
