DPM Dar calls Planning Commission to act as central clearinghouse for economic decisions

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Friday stressed that the Planning Commission (PC) should act as the central clearinghouse for economic decisions, providing guidance to ministries and divisions to maintain policy consistency and development planning, while supporting sustainable reforms to strengthen Pakistan’s economic governance.

The deputy prime minister chaired a meeting on economic reforms, highlighting the historic and central role of the Planning Commission (PC) in Pakistan’s economic and development policymaking, the DPM Office said in a handout.

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Dar emphasised the need to empower PC to drive strategic policy give priorities, and oversee public investment effectively.

The DPM was of the view that the Planning Commission should serve as the apex body under the direct leadership of the prime minister, integrating a Policy & Planning Wing and a separate Development Wing. He highlighted that all major economic decisions must align with the national economic strategy, with clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure accountability, performance, and coherence across the government.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance, Planning & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Climate Change Musadik Malik, Minister of State for Finance & Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Special Assistant to PM Tariq Bajwa, the secretary planning ministry; national coordinator for Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC); and senior officials from relevant ministries and divisions.

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