PPP, PML-N leaders hold meeting on PSDP projects for Sindh

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the government held an informal meeting on Tuesday discussing the release of funds for ongoing development projects for Sindh under the Public Sector Development Programme and the future PSDP projects for the province in the upcoming budget.

However, according to sources privy to the meeting, it was an initial meeting as the things came under discussion but no positive outcome emerged and it was decided to continue talks next month in this regard.

During the meeting, the government side was represented by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb and Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, while the PPP representatives comprised Senator Sherry Rehman, Syed Naveed Qamar, Hina Rabbani Khar and Senator Saleem Mandviwala.

According to the sources, during the consultative meeting on PSDP for the upcoming budget, the PPP presented the stance of President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the controversial six-canal project on Indus River.

The sources said the government did not give a proper response to the points and reservations raised by the PPP in the meeting, adding there was no preparation of the government members regarding planning and finance.

The PPP was asked to give their suggestions in this regard, they added.

The PPP sources said they wanted to hear the government views on the reservations of the PPP and also their suggestions regarding future planning and implementation.

However, it was decided that the government-PPP talks on the matter will again be held in early May.