ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, presided over a progress review meeting centered on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The meeting, held today at the Ministry of Planning, addressed key areas of intervention and progress made towards vital goals established during the last NEC subcommittee meeting in December 2022. The meeting’s agenda covered several important aspects:
- The development of SDGs District Scorecards by each province.
- District Development plans.
- Quarterly progress reports on Annual Development Plans (ADPs) aligned with relevant SDGs and other policies, with a particular focus on high-priority areas.
- The formulation of the Annual Plan of SDGs for 2023-2024 and the pathway forward for 2030.
- An update on the status of technical working groups and committees.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Zafar ul Hasan, Joint Chief Economist, M Ali Kemal, Chief SDG, and senior officers from provinces, including Azad and Jammu Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan.
Led by the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, this quarterly review aims to evaluate performance, address challenges, and outline actionable steps to expedite progress towards the SDGs.
Chief SDG M Ali Kemal, in his briefing, expressed concern about the slow pace of SDG achievement, attributing it to the pandemic, floods, and economic downturn. He highlighted that a plan to accelerate progress had been devised during the midterm review.
During the meeting, the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission underscored the importance of digitizing data and urged all relevant departments to keep the Dashboard updated. This digital transformation will enhance the monitoring of progress.
Planning Commission Stresses Clear SDGs Plans
The Deputy Chairman also emphasized the need for clear identification of government organizations working within specific SDG sectors. He directed all relevant provincial departments to provide comprehensive SDGs implementation plans, stressing that it is the government’s fundamental responsibility to ensure the provision of essential services in every district for the public’s benefit.
This review meeting demonstrates the government’s commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and highlights the importance of collaborative efforts to achieve these critical objectives.
