IMF seeks end to federal funds for provincial plans

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to review its Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the current fiscal and stop financing provincial projects through federal resources. Therefore, the government has decided that funds for unimportant projects would not be released despite allocations in the budget, the secretary to planning and development Awais Manzur Sumra informed the Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives on Thursday. The meeting was presided over by Senator Quratulain Marri. A report would be submitted to the IMF by December after a review of all PSDP projects, Mr Sumra told the committee.