The intra-PDM jostling over PSDP

The dozen odd parties to PDM coalition pooled political capital to join the government of unpopular decisions. Each deserves a share in the PSDP.

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Although its proposed PSDP (Public Sector Development Programme) for the coming fiscal has already been published, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government is still working behind the scenes to accommodate more projects in it.

The need for this apparent departure from the rulebook has arisen from Sharif’s need to keep his eleven partners in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition placated.

The Finance Management (PFM) Act bars the government from including unapproved projects in PSDP. Officials say they have secured an exception to this rule through the NEC (National Economic Council) to include projects due to be approved before June 30, 2022.

Other officials, who chose to remain anonymous, point out that the NEC has no authority to overrule the PFM Act, an expression of parliament’s will.

In any case, parliamentarians belonging to various parties of the ruling coalition are vying for inclusion of their respective projects, each beholden to his own constituency. This creates the risk of projects railroaded in haste without due diligence. The officials responsible should be wary.

In the final analysis, spreading scarce national resources as much inclusively and equitably as possible is in the interest of the people of Pakistan – as long as no single party is allowed to dictate terms to the disadvantage of others. What actually transpires here will be plain from the final composition of PSDP for 2022-23.

A CDWP meeting convened on Tuesday at 11 am under Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal – who is also the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission of Pakistan – to consider approval for around 16 projects to be made part of the PSDP has been postponed.

Addition of more projects to PSDP 2022-23 will no be considered at another meeting of CDWP scheduled to be held on June 25, 2022.

Contacted for comments, Ministry of Planning officials said no schemes were being inserted and only additions made were in light of the NEC meeting. Any schemes in the pipeline that fail to secure approval by the passage of next fiscal year’s budget by National Assembly will be dropped and closed.