ISLAMABAD: Chairman Planning Commission Muhammad Jehanzaib Khan said here said that efforts were afoot to improve National Planning Framework with consensus through consultation with provinces and other stakeholders and present it to National Economic Council to make it part of National Framework.

Speaking at inaugural ceremony of National Planning Framework workshop organised by Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Khan said it was responsibility of government to ensure public welfare and prosperity, adding there was need to clearly define federal and provincial jurisdictions about sectors and areas for development.

He emphasised that there was need to change mindset that provincial governments lack human capacity and financial resources, stating that provinces were rich in human, natural and financial resources.

He highlighted importance to work on solid foundations for effective utilisation of resources, utilising capabilities and bringing improvement in talent management to ensure rightful use of available resources within provinces.

He said National Planning Framework serves as bridge between federal and provincial governments to determine national and developmental priorities and to create harmony, adding National Planning Framework will establish guiding principles for effective use of resources, delineating roles of federal and provincial governments in setting national priorities.

He said, framework would determine effective utilization of national resources and correct direction of development and would foster harmony between federal and provincial governments in developmental matters and facilitate transfer of development activities to local level.

Secretary Ministry of Planning Awais Manzur Sumra stated that in preparation of this framework, Ministry of Planning and Planning Commission have convened numerous meetings and purpose of all current workshop was to solicit feedback from all relevant authorities so that it can be formally submitted to National Economic Council.

Dr. Muhammad Afzal briefed participants on objectives and scope of National Planning Framework while all federal and provincial authorities also expressed their views during workshop.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 12 2024

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