UNDP Plans For South Punjab Uplift To Reach Execution Stage In Next Two Months: ACS
Sumaira FH Published May 30, 2023 | 06:20 PM
MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th May, 2023 ) :Additional Chief Secretary south Punjab Captain (Retired) Saqib Zafar said on Tuesday that United Nations Development Programme was busy compiling data with the help of the Planning and Development board Punjab to carve out a regional plan for sustainable development in south Punjab that can lay the foundation for lifting people out of poverty and infrastructure development.
Saqib Zafar was speaking at a workshop organized in collaboration with South Punjab secretariat, UNDP Pakistan and south Punjab Development Forum, aimed at moving forward with the dialogue among stakeholders, policymakers, industry leaders, civil society and government functionaries to pace up development in the underdeveloped south Punjab, composed of three divisions comprising 11 districts.
The administrative secretaries of different departments of south Punjab, economic experts, and stakeholders participated.
He identified agriculture and livestock as the strengths of south Punjab that can be rejuvenated through a robust process of modernization.
He said that Covid-19 and floods had crippled the livelihoods across south Punjab and there was need to lift people out of this shock impact. He said that the whole exercise was aimed at finalizing a regional development plan, which he added, would be ready soon and would hopefully enter the execution stage in the next two months.
He said, since the development funds allocated for south Punjab cannot be moved anywhere else, the institutions engaged in infrastructural uplift needed enhanced capacity to extract maximum benefits out of the opportunity for the greater good of the people.
He recalled that a 'Deep Dive' conference involving international financial institutions and ambassadors of different countries was held to prepare recommendations for capacity building of departments and eradicate poverty from south Punjab. These recommendations targeting five sectors were being implemented to raise the standard of living of the people. Pace of development would accelerate with the improvement in capacity of departments concerned, he added.
He lauded UNDP and SPDF for wide ranging consultancy initiatives and suggested that recommendations should be listed as a five-year programme and promised that south Punjab secretariat would make it part of their development plan.
Ms. Ammara Durrani, assistant resident representative, development policy unit, UNDP Pakistan, said, regional equalization was the policy focus of both Federal and provincial governments and added that south Punjab was the focus for being least developed and marginalized.
She said they have mapped south Punjab problems, issues and development needs and selected some four to five key priority areas that should get financing. She said that UNDP was providing technical assistance and advisory support to the government.
CFO Unicef Wilbroad Ngambi, and joint chief economist P&D Board Punjab Dr Amanullah were also present.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Journalists call for global action to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
CM for generating opportunities to bring direct int'l investment
Pakistan retains position in FTSE secondary emerging market
High Commissioner of Malaysia hosts Iftar dinner reception
NEPRA announces 2nd quarterly adjustment in power bills with Rs 1.68 cut per uni ..
Hoopo Inc. Collaborates with SAU to Install Solar-Powered RO Plant
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: Governor
Rain-windstorm/thunderstorm likely at various parts of country
Implementation of Sindh Agriculture Workers Act-2019 demanded
Pandemic accord talks heading for extra time
Khawaja reiterates PM commitment to judiciary
More Stories From Pakistan
-
Journalists call for global action to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
52 minutes ago -
CM for generating opportunities to bring direct int'l investment
60 minutes ago -
High Commissioner of Malaysia hosts Iftar dinner reception
60 minutes ago -
NEPRA announces 2nd quarterly adjustment in power bills with Rs 1.68 cut per unit
60 minutes ago -
Hoopo Inc. Collaborates with SAU to Install Solar-Powered RO Plant
56 minutes ago -
Implementation of Sindh Agriculture Workers Act-2019 demanded
55 minutes ago
-
Khawaja reiterates PM commitment to judiciary
55 minutes ago -
Gov't to form independent inquiry commission on 'IHC judges' letter': Law Minister
55 minutes ago -
Makhdoom Saeed-u-Zaman seeks massive operation for recovery Priya Kumari
57 minutes ago -
Pakistan to continue political, diplomatic support to Kashmiris: FO
57 minutes ago -
FM, UK High Commissioner discuss bilateral ties
57 minutes ago -
Cabinet Division declares Naudero House as official residence of President
57 minutes ago