ISLAMABAD: In a significant move to bolster Pakistan’s economic planning and development, the President on Friday constituted the National Economic Council (NEC), with the Prime Minister at the helm.
A notification issued by the Cabinet Division detailed that, exercising the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 156 of the Constitution, the President has officially established the NEC.
Composition of the NEC
The NEC will be chaired by the Prime Minister and will include the chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan as its members. Additionally, the council will comprise four members nominated by the Prime Minister and four nominated by the chief ministers of the respective provinces.
The members nominated by the Prime Minister are:
– Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
– Khawaja Asif, Minister for Defence
– Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Finance and Revenue
– Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives
The members nominated by the chief ministers are:
– Marriyum Aurangzeb, Senior Minister for Planning and Development, Environment Protection and Climate Change; Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife; and Chief Minister’s Special Initiatives, Punjab
– Jam Khan Shoro, Minister for Irrigation, Sindh
– Muzammil Aslam, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Finance, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
– Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, Minister for Planning and Development, Balochistan
Special Invitations
The NEC meetings will also see participation by special invitees, which include Ahad Iqbal Cheema, Minister for Economic Affairs Division (EAD), Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Secretary of Finance Division, Secretary of EAD, and Secretary of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Division.
Ministry to Submit National Planning Framework (NPF) for Approval
The Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives is set to submit the National Planning Framework (NPF) to the NEC for approval. This framework is expected to outline the strategic direction for national economic policies and development projects.
Significance of the NEC
The reconstitution of the NEC underscores the government’s commitment to comprehensive and collaborative economic planning. By involving key stakeholders from all provinces and integrating inputs from various sectors, the NEC aims to create a more cohesive and effective approach to tackling the country’s economic challenges.
The establishment of the NEC with the Prime Minister in the chair marks a pivotal step in Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen its economic governance. With a diverse and experienced team, the council is poised to drive forward the nation’s economic agenda, ensuring balanced development and equitable growth across all regions.