The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, held a high level meeting on budget proposals regarding the Public Sector Development Programme. During the meeting, PM Sharif held wide discussion with the party official regarding the upcoming budget.
It is to be noted that, while discussing the measures, PM Sharif said that money should be specially allocated for the development of youth in PSDP, adding that, “Measures should be included to provide higher education, vocational training and dignified employment opportunities to the youth. A Pakistan Endowment Fund should be established for the higher education of the youth, through which the youth will be trained in higher and professional education and skills in IT, and the element of transparency and merit should be given key importance for scholarships and education.”
He further said that, “A program of free laptops should be included in the budget to equip talented and performing students with IT skills. Plans for the promotion of IT should be included in the budget. The projects started under Kisan Package should be continued. Renewable energy projects should be included in the budget. Special funds should be allocated in the budget for hydropower projects and energy sector innovation.”
The discussion, during the meeting also added about the progress on the ongoing projects under PSDP and the proposals regarding the projects for the next financial year. The meeting also held discussion, adding that, “agricultural sector, renewable energy, higher education for youth, vocational training and employment projects will be an important part of the development budget in the budget, along with the projects for development of IT sector as well as increase in exports will also be part of the budget.
It is to be noted that the talks also involved the discussion about the beneficiaries of the Prime Minister’s Kisan Package and Empowered Youth Program in the last financial year, addin that, “around 60,000 youths are currently being provided internships in various government development projects, while a record production of wheat has been achieved compared to the last ten years.”
The Prime Minister issued clear instructions to provide alternatives to domestic imports, increase exports and give priority to innovation projects in various sectors in the development plans of the Budget 2023-24.
