Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a sweeping initiative to reform and streamline the execution of critical development projects across Pakistan. The move aims to address long-standing delays and inefficiencies that have hindered timely project completion. The prime minister emphasised that ensuring transparency and punctual delivery of key national initiatives remains a top priority for his government.
The prime minister will personally lead a steering committee that will include federal and provincial stakeholders, tasked with overseeing the implementation of the reforms. This directive follows a detailed briefing by government officials, who highlighted multiple systemic bottlenecks affecting project timelines. Among the key challenges identified were slow procurement processes, misaligned human resources, and administrative inefficiencies, all contributing to extended project delays.
A total of Rs330.43 billion has been authorised under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for uplift projects, underscoring the importance of expediting implementation. Officials recommended modernising procurement practices through e-procurement systems and project readiness facilities to accelerate timelines. They also stressed the need to align human resources with project objectives, ensuring that personnel are fully equipped to meet the targets set under both the PSDP and the Annual Development Plan (ADP).
To address these issues, the prime minister directed the formation of four specialised working groups. The first group will focus on reforming the approval process and enhancing the preparation stages of development projects. The second will modernise procurement practices with digital tools to increase efficiency. The third group will tackle challenges in land acquisition and resettlement, a frequent source of delays in infrastructure projects. The fourth group will concentrate on human resource reforms, optimising deployment and management of staff across development initiatives.
The high-level meeting was attended by key government ministers, including Federal Ministers for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Climate Change Musadik Malik, Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Atta Tarar, Power Division Awais Leghari, and Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik, among others. Representatives from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank were also present, providing guidance and recommendations for streamlining Pakistan’s development framework.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the support of international partners and emphasised that the reforms are critical for enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of development projects. By addressing structural inefficiencies and leveraging digital tools, the government aims to ensure that key national projects are completed on schedule, benefiting citizens and strengthening Pakistan’s economic infrastructure.
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