Medium Term Development Framework 2005-10

With a view to combat environmental pollution in various sectors and at various levels, the Government of Pakistan had already enhanced allocation for the Environmental projects in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), besides providing necessary incentives to the private sector for making considerable investment in environment projects. Realizing the importance of environmental protection, the government of Pakistan has substantially increased the Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF) for environment (2005-10) compared to the past.

Environmental improvement and mitigation efforts will be consistent, vigorous, concentrated and integrated to ensure the halting of further degradation of natural resources and pollution of water and air. To achieve these objectives a sizeable level of investment had been envisaged in during the period 2005-10. The MTDF Working Group on Environment keeping in view the pressing demands for development of infrastructure and social sectors, has adopted a modest and rational policy approach in selection of 146 priority projects.

A major MTDF initiative taken by the Government is the provision of clean drinking water to almost entire population of the country. A Clean Drinking Water for All Programme would be implemented to complete by 2008. by installing the standardized water purification plants at convenient places (mosques, schools, hospitals, dispensaries, Police stations, petrol pumps and fire stations) in urban and rural areas. A provision of Rs 10 billion has been made under the MTDF to implement it with participatory approaches and active involvement of the Local Governments, who will become owner of the plants. Rs. 2 billion have been earmarked in Federal PSDP 2005-06 to immediately commence the implementation of this Program by the Ministry of Environment.

The MTDF (2005-10) has also earmarked additional Rs 18.30 billion to implement other environmental programmes during 2005-10, as prioritized by the MTDF Working Group on Environment. This includes an allocation of Rupees 8.20 billion for  implementing a total of 65  brown environment projects, Rs 8  billion for  a total of 45 green environment and forestry projects and Rs 1.0 billion for a total of 36 cross- sectoral activities to effectively integrate the environment  into national development process, besides 26 projects aiming at human resource development, environmental education and research costing Rs. 1.10. During 2005-06, Rs. 2.30 billion would be earmarked including Rs.1.20 billion to implement the federal forestry and biodiversity projects along with the environment capacity building schemes, and rupees one billion would be allocated to the provincial governments to accelerate implementation of their ongoing projects and to initiate new environmental activities.  

In line with allocations the Clean Drinking Water and other priority environment projects, the overall financial outlay for Environment MTDF 2005-10 has increased to Rs. 28.307 billion compared to Rs 5. 50 billion allocated in the last five years (2000-2005). This indicates the government commitments for the protection of environment the years to come. In the national PSDP 2005-06, Rs. 4.30 billion have been earmarked including Rs 2 billion for Clean Drinking Water for All Programme plus Rs 2.30 bliilion  to undertake other priority environment projects  by the Ministry of Environment.

In the private sector, increased number of environment related activities and projects will be initiated focusing on environmental education and awareness as well as the conservation of natural resources and pollution/emissions control, through the greater involvement of all stakeholders including development entrepreneurs by dedicated natural resources use control and providing environmental pollution mitigation incentives; the communities and NGOs through intensive awareness drives; and the increased foreign donor grant assistance.

Allocations for Environmental projects in the PSDP 2005-2006

The Government of Pakistan has allocated an amount of Rs. 3077.00 million in the PSDP 2005-06 and the allocation for environmental projects by the provincial government for 2005-06 is Rs. 1100 millions. Therefore, a total of Rs. 4477.00 millions would be spent on environment protection in 2005-06. In addition the federal and provincial governments are spending almost half of this amount as non-development expenditure on staff, infrastructure and other such recurring expenditures.

LIST OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS