Pakistan, April 16 -- In a surprising decision, the federal government has chosen to scrap about 24% of ongoing development projects this fiscal year. This move affects the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), which includes 1,092 listed projects. A total of 260 development schemes will be eliminated, saving billions of rupees.

The Planning Ministry has set criteria for selecting which projects to cut, aiming to improve resource allocation. Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal confirmed this decision, stating it is not politically motivated. He highlighted the successful completion of the NED University project as a model for future projects.

This year, the overall PSDP allocation is Rs1,100 billion. This total includes Rs843.145 bi...