Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a high-level Steering Committee along with four specialised working groups to resolve implementation bottlenecks affecting development projects financed by the World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The decision was taken during a meeting reviewing delays and cost overruns in multibillion-dollar externally funded projects. Officials said the new structure aims to accelerate approvals, streamline procurement and address land acquisition and staffing constraints.

The Steering Committee, chaired by the prime minister, includes key federal ministers, provincial chief secretaries, senior bureaucrats and representatives of the World Bank. It will provide strategic oversight, approve reform recommendations and monitor implementation through quarterly reviews.

The four working groups will focus on administrative approvals, advance procurement, land acquisition and resettlement, and human resource reforms. Each group has been tasked with submitting time-bound recommendations and performance indicators within one month.

The prime minister directed that work begin immediately and that progress reports be shared regularly with the PM’s Office to ensure compliance and timely execution of reforms.