DefinePK

Abstract

ABSTRACT Intro: Development planning plays a crucial role in the socio-economic development of a country. It aims at optimal utilization of the available resources in order to maximize social welfare. Pakistan, after independence, was confronted with numerous problems. After laying down the foundation of certain institutions and setting in order the administrative machinery the policy makers resorted to development planning as early as 1951. The initial effort was not a systematic and coherent one. Nevertheless, it was a starting point for development planning process. The process was started with the formation of Six-Year National Development Programme (1951-57), a part of co-operative effort under the Colombo Plan. The Programme was a collection of projects rather than a development plan and was replaced in 1955 by the First Five Year-Plan. The next twenty years since 1955 were covered under four consecutive medium-term (five year) plans. The first three Five-Years Plans (1955-70) were implemented while the Fourth Plan (1970-75) had to be scrapped due to separation of the former East Pakistan. Thus, the country had to resort to adhoc planning on an annual basis and it continued for six years (1972-78). Again since July 1, 1978 the medium-term plans i.e., Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Five-Year Plan (1978-93) has been launched. However, within the medium-term frame-work the annual plans are also prepared.