Ministry of Planning considers open access to PSDP data

Wed, 1 Feb 2023, 8:14 PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 01 (APP): Governance Innovation Lab under The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has taken a major step towards making information about the 750-billion-rupee development expenditure of Pakistan accessible to the masses.

A new portal will be created to provide real-time information about the allocation, release, and progress of every PSDP project through a graphical interface.

All approved PC1s will be available and accessible on the portal, and the Ministry has established a Champions of Reforms (COR) Network to seek input from citizens in reviewing and evaluating project proposals under PSDP. This unprecedented move will ensure greater returns on investment by making sure that the PSDP reflects the aspirations of the citizens.

Expert opinions gathered during the evaluation process will be included as a special section in the Executive Summary of PC-1 that is presented at the CDWP, making all stakeholders accountable to the citizens of Pakistan and enhancing the transparency and effectiveness of PSDP. Both the Ministry’s and independent experts’ opinions will be reflected in the PC1s and discussed in the CDWP meetings.

This digitization initiative is a major step towards making the PSDP allocations more accountable and accessible to the public, and the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives is proud to lead the way in this effort.

These suggestions were discussed in the roundtable conference organized by the GIL during which Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal makes a bold move towards greater transparency in development expenditure at the Round Table Conference on the Digitisation of the PSDP.

With the digitisation of PSDP, the federal government aims to provide citizens with in-depth information on all PSDP-funded projects through a dedicated portal, including project locations, funding, releases, progress, and even satellite images and drone footage where available. This innovative step towards a more informed and engaged public is set to revolutionize the way we track and understand government spending.

Similarly, Member Governance, Innovation and Reforms, Dr Adnan Rafiq, stated that to bridge the gap between citizens and the state, the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives introduces digital technology to increase transparency and accountability.

By incorporating global expert viewpoints, the dedicated portal allows civil society to monitor progress on PSDP projects and researchers to conduct in-depth analysis. This collaboration will aid the Ministry in enhancing PSDP allocations and driving positive change for the citizens of Pakistan.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting of the Federal Cabinet

Zia Ur Rehman

Wed, 1 Feb 2023, 8:13 PM

<em>Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting of the Federal Cabinet</em> — APP57-010223 ISLAMABAD:

UAE keen to enhance investment in new sectors of economy

Muhammad Ashraf Wani

Wed, 1 Feb 2023, 8:13 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 01 (APP):Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salim Al-Zaabi during a call on meeting with Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue here Wednesday, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, said his country was keenly interested to augment its investment in new sectors of Pakistan economy.

According to press statement issued by finance ministry, he said UAE was fully cognizant of the development-oriented economic policies of the country being undertaken by the present government.

On the occasion, Dar stated that Pakistan and UAE were engaging in various areas including energy, refinery, petroleum and trade, however, still a lot of potential is unexplored. The minister highlighted various avenues in which both countries can trade and invest.

Both the sides shared the historical and long-standing ties between both countries and exchanged views on further boosting and strengthening these
economic ties.

They exchanged views on the recent visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan to the UAE and his meetings with the UAE leadership and discussed the timely implementation of decisions taken in these meetings for furthering the brotherly relations between the two countries.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque giving Souvenir at seminar on “Awareness for Internet Governance & Internet Resources Share for Pakistan 2023”.

Zia Ur Rehman

Wed, 1 Feb 2023, 8:12 PM

<em>Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque giving Souvenir at seminar on "Awareness for Internet Governance & Internet Resources Share for Pakistan 2023".</em> — APP17-010223 ISLAMABAD:

Stakeholders should find out permanent solution of terrorism: Minister Abdul Shakoor

NNPS Desk

Wed, 1 Feb 2023, 8:10 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 01 (APP): Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Mufti Abdul Shakoor on Wednesday said the stakeholders should find out a permanent solution to terrorism.

Condemning the Peshawar blast in the strongest terms on the floor of National Assembly, he proposed that parliament, government, religious and political leadership and national security institutions should sit together and chalk out an authentic plan other than the military operation in the affected areas.

The minister went on to say that the previous operations had brought bad impacts on the local people and they could not get back to normal life, socially and economically yet. Any other operation could increase death and destruction by manifold in the affected areas, he added.

Terming terrorist activities an international conspiracy against Pakistan, he said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was badly affected by the scourge of terrorism for last two decades.

He said the blast in the mosque was a serious issue as a large number of religious scholars had paid a huge price on the war on terror till then.

He said the quarters concerned should ascertain the factors behind all this fuss in the province and opt for a solution on long term basis.

PM orders timely solarisation of govt buildings to save foreign exchange

Ishtiaq Rao

Wed, 1 Feb 2023, 8:07 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to complete solarisation of government buildings within stipulated time as countrywide solarisation project would save foreign exchange by reducing the import of costly fuel.

The prime minister, chairing a meeting to review the measures for energy conservation, also instructed the finalisation of policy to promote local production of electric motorcycles and solar panels.

He also called for a comprehensive policy to replace the energy-consuming fans and emphasised to further empower the National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (NEECA) to promote energy conservation.

The participants of the meeting were briefed on 10,000MW solarisation project, local production of solar panels and electric motorcycles, installation of conical baffle in geysers and promotion of energy saving fans and bulbs.

It was told that the solarisation of 671 buildings was in progress. Another 600 buildings under education ministry had their own budget and the consideration was being made to use the same for solarisation. Besides, the process of 11 kilowatt feeders was also in process. The prime minister said no laxity in the said projects would be tolerated.

The representative of the industries ministry told the meeting that policy for local production of solar panels and electric motorcycles would announced by next month as input on the draft was being sought from different institutions.

It was told that the installation of conical baffles in new geysers had been made mandatory and a strategy to install the equipment in old geysers had also been finalised. Moreover, the steps had been taken to produce energy efficient fans and bulbs, and by next year the energy consuming fans and bulbs would not be produced.

The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure the execution of the above said measures.

Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Engineer Khurram Dastgir and Makhdoom Murtaza Mahmood, State Minister Dr Musadik Malik, Advisor to PM Ahad Cheema, SAPMs Jahanzeb Khan, Syed Fahad Hussain and relevant senior officers attended the meeting.