PM directs for preparing export-oriented development budget 2023-24.

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday issued clear directions to include on priority, such projects in the upcoming development budget that help in ensuring import substitutions, expanding export volume, and bringing innovation in various sectors.

The prime minister also directed to allocate special funds in the development programme for the welfare and development of the country's youth, according to the state news agency.

Chairing a meeting to review the budget proposals with respect to the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2023-24, Shehbaz Sharif said that in the upcoming budget, projects relating to higher education, professional training and job creation for the youth must be added in the programme.

He also asked for the establishment of the Pakistan Endowment Fund to provide higher education to the youth.

The laptop programme should also be included in the upcoming PSDP to distribute free laptops among the top-performing students to equip them with modern technology skills, he added.

He said through the endowment fund, the youth should be given professional and higher education besides skilled-based training in the IT sector.

The prime minister also stressed the need to give special importance to merit and transparency while providing scholarships and education to the youth.

PM Sharif directed to continue the projects initiated under the Kissan Package while renewable energy projects should also be made part of the development budget.

The prime minister also directed to allocate special funds in the upcoming budget for projects to bring innovation in the energy sector.

PM Sharif said all the slow moving ongoing projects under the PSDP that had lost their importance should be removed from the development budget.

All stakeholders of the...