Islamabad: Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal announced a significant increase in the country’s National Development Outlay, which has surged by fifty percent over the past two years. Addressing a news conference, Iqbal stated that the outlay, which stood at 2.832 trillion rupees for the fiscal year 2023-24, has escalated to 4.2 trillion rupees.

The minister attributed this substantial increase to improved revenue collection, noting that provinces receive a sixty percent share of the collected revenue, thereby boosting their annual development plans. He highlighted that the five-year plan initially projected the allocation of 4.2 trillion rupees for the development budget by its fifth year, a target now reached in just two years.

Iqbal emphasized the government’s focus on accelerating development efforts in Balochistan, with 230 billion rupees allocated for projects aimed at enhancing the region’s connectivity. Additionally, he outlined plans to prioritize the water sector, with a commitment to completing the Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dams, despite concerns over water disputes with India.

Infrastructure projects enhancing regional connectivity are also a priority, according to the minister. Furthermore, the government is set to implement a program to train over two hundred thousand youth in information technology skills, as part of its focus on equipping the younger generation with modern competencies.

In the health sector, Iqbal announced the initiation of the Elimination of Hepatitis program, with a budget of sixty-four billion rupees. Plans are also underway to establish the Jinnah Medical Complex and Daanish University in the federal capital. Moreover, a special economic zone spanning five hundred acres is planned for Karachi.

Iqbal reiterated the government’s commitment to the Uraan Pakistan framework and the pursuit of sustainable growth, aiming to increase the country’s economic growth rate from 2.7 percent in the current fiscal year to 4.2 percent in the next fiscal year.