Planning Minister Advocates for Strengthened Public-Private Partnerships for Infrastructure Development

Islamabad, At the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, new committees focusing on public-private partnerships (PPP) have been formed under the Public Private Partnership Authority, aiming to enhance infrastructure financing through increased private sector investment. The inaugural meeting of these committees, led by Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal, took place in Islamabad today.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the committees are set to play a crucial role in advising on the upcoming 2024-25 Budget, with a focus on innovative financing solutions to boost private sector engagement. During the meeting, Minister Iqbal discussed the economic challenges facing Pakistan, including significant reductions in the development budget and the financial constraints of balancing income against debt servicing obligations.

Highlighting the need for tax restructuring and the provision of incentives to attract private investment for commercially viable infrastructure projects, Minister Iqbal emphasized the critical role of collaboration between the government and the private sector. He called on private sector stakeholders to continue their support and provide feedback to develop effective PPP policies, aiming to establish a successful and sustainable model for public-private collaboration in Pakistan.