ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (Alliance News): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed concerned authorities to ensure third-party validation for all public welfare projects, particularly those related to clean drinking water, electricity, communications, and education, in order to uphold transparency and quality standards.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on the development projects under the current fiscal year, the prime minister emphasized that independent validation was crucial to maintain the quality of completed and near-completion initiatives. He instructed the immediate completion of delayed projects to meet public expectations efficiently.
The premier reiterated the government’s strong commitment to building top-tier educational institutions, including Danish Schools, in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and all provinces. He stressed that providing international-standard education and training to underprivileged children was central to this year’s development agenda, aimed at ensuring equal growth opportunities for all regions.
Highlighting water security, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the construction of water reservoirs was vital for national integrity, and several such projects were already underway. He also pointed to the significance of ongoing efforts in establishing technology parks in Karachi and Islamabad, which he said would help position Pakistan as a key player in the regional and global IT economy.
He further added that the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) was a cornerstone of the government’s broader economic vision, promoting industrial growth, investment, and job creation.
During the meeting, officials briefed the prime minister on completed and ongoing development projects in various sectors including IT, communications, energy, water, education, and health. The meeting noted significant progress across the board, with multiple projects completed and many others advancing at a fast pace.
The session was attended by Minister for Planning and Development Dr. Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, along with senior officials from relevant departments and institutions.
