ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday reviewed the implementation status of budget for 2017-18.

The finance minister said the measures announced in the budget are aimed at improving the welfare of the masses, and enabling higher, sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

He also urged the finance division officials to ensure continued pursuance of austerity measures in order to maintain financial discipline.

Finance Secretary Shahid Mahmood briefed the finance minister on the status of implementation of relief measures announced in budget 2017-18.

The finance minister was informed that almost all notifications to implement budgetary measures have already been issued and the remaining few will be sent out soon.

Govt to approve mega projects

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to lay the foundation stone of 4,500MW Dasu power plant on Monday.

The government is also likely to approve mega projects that would benefit the agriculture sector, flood control, and expand linkages with Afghanistan and Central Asia.

July 10, Monday, is the day when the joint investigation team will submit its report on Panamagate to the Supreme Court.

The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) meeting on Monday, chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, is expected to approve six mega projects including three phases of Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) project costing Rs90.2 billion.

An important project to be discussed and approved by Ecnec is the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (Carec) corridor development investment programme which will connect China and Afghanistan with Pakistan.

Ecnec is expected to take up the Rs8.6bn project for the construction of 82.5km Chitral-Garain-Chashma-Doraha Pass Road project which could serve as a major linkage between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia.

The Central Development and Working Party has already recommended these projects to the Ecnec for approval.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2017