ISLAMABAD, Feb 13: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has directed the Planning Commission to incorporate the nine-point economic agenda already approved by the Cabinet in their planning fold for ensuring better coordination and implementation.

He also directed that a proactive approach be adopted while envisaging various projects for securing more foreign direct investment for infrastructural development and alleviate poverty.

Presiding over a meeting to review performance of the Planning Commission and progress of various projects here on Friday, he said that he would hold a quarterly meeting to review status of the projects.

He also directed that all future planning should focus on areas which could bring about positive changes in the lives of the people through socio-economic development.

Underlining the need for all-out efforts to ensure merit and transparency in every area of national development, the prime minister said that no country could make progress without good governance as this is the key to success and without observing these norms, it is not possible to achieve the desired results.

He said the people have given us the mandate for change and there is huge responsibility lying on us to come up to their expectations.

He further directed for a close coordination with all the ministries while monitoring projects and underscored the need for avoiding duplication and overlapping of work as it would not only prove counter-productive, but would also result in wastage of public money.

The Prime Minister directed the Planning Commission to induct a woman as a member in the task force to ensure representation of this important segment.

He said that foremost priority areas before the government are to address law and order situation and economic crisis as both are interrelated.

He said more funding is being earmarked for infrastructural development and poverty alleviation in the country.

He also asked the Planning Commission that they should formulate policies which have the capacity to absorb both internal and external shocks at the time of crisis.

Despite global economic recession, he said, Pakistan’s economy has now started showing positive results. He said not only the inflation is reduced but other economic indicators are also showing improvement.

He said that this became possible only due to prudent economic policies introduced by the government.

Recalling last year’s economic situation, when the country was passing through a difficult time, the Prime Minister said the government took unpopular decisions in the best interest of the country. He said the government gave more importance to the agriculture sector to make the country self-sufficient in food.

He said agriculture is the backbone for economic prosperity and its development must incorporate a pre-defined income security mechanism for farmers that could lead to productivity enhancement and high value crops, focusing internal consumption and increased exports. He said another area needing urgent attention is developing an integrated energy generation and conservation plan in a manner that it could boost our agriculture, industry and other production sectors in overall economic development of the country.

Highlighting the importance of creating a social safety net to protect vulnerable groups of the population through extending outreach of Benazir Income Support Programme, the Prime Minister said it should incorporate comprehensive transparency while covering poor sections of society.

Recognising the importance of private investment as main accelerator of economic growth, the Prime Minister asked the Planning Commission to involve private sector in their future projects.

Earlier, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission in his welcome speech gave an overview of the overall working of the planning commission.

He said that the planning commission which has many task forces providing policy input in core development areas focuses its attention towards better planning and designing of the projects which could deliver and bring change in people’s lives, thus contributing towards progress and prosperity of the country.

The secretary and the members of the Planning Commission gave presentation on their respective areas.