ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday directed Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal to ensure maximum utilisation of the allocated Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) funds on development projects to benefit the masses.

Chairing a meeting to review the utilisation of the PSDP at the PM House, the prime minister said steps should be taken for swift completion of important projects and to ensure that the allocated amount is fully utilised.

Earlier, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal gave a presentation to the premier, providing an overview of the PSDP spending in the current financial year. It included the proposed allocation for next year on projects that are part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and on LNG-based power projects.

Nawaz Sharif was informed that 72 per cent of the allocated amount of Rs525 billion had been released so far for projects in the ongoing financial year (2014-15).

The prime minister also approved changes in the release mechanism of the PSDP funds in each quarter of the year for efficient utilisation of funds.

MNA Muhammad Safdar, Secretary Aviation Muhammad Ali Gardezi, Secretary Planning and Development Hassan Nawaz Tarar, Secretary Water and Power Younus Dagha, Secretary Housing and Works Shahrukh Arbab, Secretary Railways Parveen Agha and Acting Secretary Finance Azra Mujtaba also attended the meeting.