LAHORE, Pakistan: The Punjab government has earmarked Rs 635 billion for Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2017-18.
The highest priority has been given to the social sector with 32 per cent of the ADP allocations while 27 per cent has been given for infrastructure development.
More than Rs 201 billion has been allocated for the social sector with major focus on education (82.61 billion, 13%), health (Rs 51.80 billion, 8%) and clean drinking water (Rs 52 billion, 8%), according to the budget documents.
An amount of Rs 172,164 million has been allocated for infrastructure development including roads (Rs 90700 million), irrigation (Rs 41033 million), energy (Rs 9000 million), public buildings (Rs 15,000 million) and urban development (Rs 16,433 million).
Prioritizing the agriculture sector, the Punjab government has earmarked Rs 15 billion under the Khadim-e-Punjab Kissan Package this year to revive the sector as more than 40 per cent of Punjab’s labour is engaged with this key sector.
The Punjab government has earmarked a huge amount of Rs 88,350 million for special initiatives including Safe City Project (Rs 49,850 million), Special Development Package (Rs 21,000 million), Local Government Development (Rs 15,000 million) and package for other provinces (Rs 2500 million).
Human development will be paid special attention this year keeping in view the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. Also special focus would be on the production sector, modern infrastructure, development, SMEs development, devising a comprehensive industrial policy and domestic commerce strategy for initiating a long-term engagement as joint ventures with Chinese companies.
Adequate funding will be provided for flagship programmes of the provincial government including Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme, dualisation of Khanewal-Lodhran Road and DG Khan-Muzafargarh Road, Punjab Police Integrated Command, Lahore Knowledge Park, Punjab Kidney Liver Institute and Saaf Paani projects.
