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Event Title: Senator Quratulain Marri, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Presiding over a Meeting of The Committee at Parliament House Islamabad.

Event Date: 2026-06-16

Senate Committee Reviews PSDP Allocations, Rejects New Unapproved Schemes and Calls for Timely Completion of Ongoing Projects
 
The third and fourth budget follow-up meetings of the Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives were held today at Parliament House, Islamabad, under the chairpersonship of Senator Quratulain Marri. The meetings were attended by Senators Shahadat Awan, Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, Mir Dostain Khan Domki, and Saadia Abbasi.
 
The Committee reviewed budget allocations for various Ministries and Divisions under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the financial year 2026-27 and examined the progress of ongoing and proposed development schemes.
 
Pakistan Post informed the Committee that Rs. 194 million has been allocated for three ongoing projects and one new SSP Building Office construction project, which is expected to be completed during the current financial year.
 
The National Highway Authority (NHA) briefed the Committee that development schemes worth Rs. 1.4 trillion had been proposed against which Rs. 224.514 billion had been approved. NHA's total throw-forward liability was reported at approximately Rs. 2.7 trillion. Although 22 new schemes were proposed, no new project has been included in the PSDP for the current year. The Committee was informed that project costs increase by approximately 6.5 percent annually. Senator Quratulain Marri emphasized the need for timely release of funds to minimize cost overruns and recommended prioritizing projects nearing completion. The Committee also urged NHA to expedite the dualization of the Kuchlak–Zhob section of the N-50 Highway and reviewed progress on the Hyderabad–Sukkur Motorway project.
 
NHA further informed the Committee that it aims to complete 21 projects out of its 71 ongoing schemes. Officials stated that cash development loans amounting to Rs. 3.7 trillion remain payable to the Government of Pakistan and highlighted that deductions from approved allocations adversely affect project implementation.
 
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting informed the Committee that its two ongoing development schemes are expected to be completed during the current financial year. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs reported that one of its six carried-forward projects has been completed, while four projects will continue during the year. The Law and Justice Division informed the Committee that 11 out of its 15 ongoing projects are expected to be completed during the current financial year.
 
The National Food Security and Research Division informed the Committee that nine projects remain ongoing from the previous year. Officials emphasized the need to restructure the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) to strengthen agricultural research and improve institutional performance.
 
The Railways Division informed the Committee that it continues to face a significant throw-forward burden and received only nine percent of its requested allocation. The Chairperson expressed concern over reduced allocations for projects in the Thar region and emphasized the need for balanced development across sectors.
 
The National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division informed the Committee that 10 projects are expected to be completed during the current year, while 12 projects will remain ongoing. The Chairperson advised the Division to focus on completing existing schemes and avoid creating additional liabilities.
 
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) informed the Committee that it currently has 137 ongoing projects and has been allocated Rs. 46 billion. The Committee unanimously rejected a proposed unapproved scheme for the establishment of an E-Sports Arena, reiterating the government's policy that no new schemes would be entertained in the current PSDP. The Committee also discussed mechanisms to ensure that scholarship recipients serve Pakistan after completion of their studies. HEC informed the Committee that recovery proceedings are underway against scholarship defaulters and that legal action is being pursued where necessary.
 
The National Heritage and Culture Division briefed the Committee on its three ongoing projects, while the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) informed members that it is executing four ongoing schemes and has proposed one new project. The Petroleum Division reported that it has one ongoing development scheme.
 
The Committee was informed that the Power Division currently has 48 ongoing projects. Against a demand of Rs. 98 billion, an allocation of Rs. 83.823 billion has been approved. The Committee also discussed the 500 kV HVDC Transmission System project connecting Tajikistan and Pakistan under the Central Asia energy connectivity initiative. Officials informed the Committee that implementation of the project has been halted due to the prevailing security situation in Afghanistan. The Chairperson expressed concern over the electricity billing structure and observed that regular consumers continue to bear the burden of non-paying consumers.
 
The Revenue Division presented details of its ongoing development projects and budgetary allocations. The Privatization Division informed the Committee that it has one ongoing project aimed at enhancing the capacity of federal government entities in preparation of policy programmes. The Committee recommended that pending allocations be released to the Division as required during the current fiscal year.
Officials from the Science and Technological Research Division informed the Committee that the Division has 23 ongoing schemes. Proposals for new schemes were not entertained, in line with the Committee's direction to prioritize ongoing projects.
 
SUPARCO informed the Committee that it is implementing six ongoing projects. Officials stated that six satellites have been launched and that two Pakistani astronauts are currently undergoing training in China and are expected to participate in a space mission later this year. SUPARCO also informed the Committee that PC-I documents for two proposed schemes would be submitted to the Planning Division.
 
The Water Resources Division briefed the Committee on hydropower and water-sector projects, informing members that the number of ongoing projects has been rationalized from 45 to 43. The Division highlighted major national projects, including Dasu, Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams. The estimated cost of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam was reported at approximately Rs. 1.2 trillion.
 
Officials from the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON also briefed the Committee on the implementation status of the Hosting Community Support Programme.
 
Concluding the meetings, the Committee decided to convene separate follow-up meetings with the National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division and the Railways Division in July 2026 to undertake a detailed review of their development schemes and budgetary requirements.