S Punjab may finally get due importance

In the upcoming fiscal year, govt plans to fund major development projects

LAHORE: Contrary to the unequal distribution of wealth by previous regimes, the provincial government has allocated 35% of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the financial year 2019-20 to South Punjab.

Budget documents indicate that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has tried to achieve regional equalisation and sustainable growth for the upcoming financial year. It underscores that a vibrant and prosperous Pakistan requires Punjab to be economically stable.

The government has highlighted that the annual budget for FY 2019-20 is the result of intensive interdepartmental coordination. This reflects a systematic growth strategy targeted towards meeting the longstanding needs of common citizens and living up to the promise of providing “inclusive growth for all”.

It highlights that contrary to the past, the government has set new priorities for the province. There is an indication that the development paradigm is based on an inclusive approach with a focus on reducing regional disparities and a commitment towards real investment in human development and social sectors. It states that the key challenge of imbalanced development, which Punjab faces today, reflects lopsided public investment decisions of the past.

There are even disparities in the provision of basic public services such as health and education. As a result, Southern Punjab has been deprived across several sectors, with relatively higher levels of poverty and poor performance in education and health outcomes.

Budget documents highlight that the government has allocated Rs50 million for the provision of literacy with skills to illiterate youth in four low literacy rate tehsils of South Punjab. It shows that for regional equalisation in Dera Ghazi Khan, the government is going to start the construction of a new building of the Ghazi University and additional classrooms in schools with highest enrollment. There are also plans to upgrade the institute of cardiology, revamp various hospitals, establish model auction markets, strengthen the veterinary services network in tribal areas, establish PPIC3 centres and develop the 135 MW Taunsa Hydro Power Project.

Similarly, in Rahim Yar Khan district, there are plans to improve union council-level veterinary services in Lodhran and Rahim Yar Khan in the upcoming financial year.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2019.