The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, lead a high-level meeting with the party officials. During the meeting, PM Sharif along with the party members held talks on the upcoming budget proposals, including the Public Sector Development Programme.
It is to be noted that, while holding the discussions on the steps, PM Sharif added that money should be specially allocated for the development of youth in PSDP, adding that, “Steps should be added to provide higher education, vocational training as well as dignified employment opportunities mainly for the youth. A Pakistan Endowment Fund should be set up for the higher education of the youth, via which the youth will be trained in higher & professional education as well as skills in IT, & the element of transparency and merit should be given key significance for scholarships and education.”
He further mentioned to add a program to boost the IT sector within the budget, adding that, “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.
