Manual for Development Projects - Planning Commission

Chapter-1
Planning concept
1.1 The major tasks confronting developing countries include the achievement of economic
independence, overcoming backwardness and the implementation of socio-economic
transformation. Market mechanism alone cannot accomplish this task. Hence resort is made to
the adoption of planning techniques.
1.2 Planning has been defined by various economists in different manners. Generally it is
understood to be a dynamic process, a method of analysis and thinking which may or may not
involve the preparation of comprehensive legally binding blueprint for socio-economic
development. In essence, a plan is a package of economic and social policies expressed with
quantified targets and objectives to be achieved during a laid-down period
Development Board
1.3 In-spite of the grave economic and financial problems which beset the Government of
Pakistan soon after independence, a Development Board was established early in 1948 in
Economic Affairs Division to deal with questions of rapid economic development of the
country. In 1950 a Six-Year Development Plan was formulated and embodied in the Colombo
Plan for Cooperative Economic Development in South and South East Asia. This was
essentially an outline plan and delineated only a broad pattern of development.
Planning Board
1.4 To prepare a more comprehensive national plan of development, the Government of
Pakistan decided to set up a Planning Board on 18th July, 1953, with Mr. Zahid Hussain, ex-
Governor of State Bank of Pakistan as its first Chairman and two other members. The purpose
and terms of reference of the Board were set forth as below:-
(a) Purpose:
The economic and social objectives of Government's Policy are to develop the resource
as to promote the welfare of the people, provide adequate living standards, and social se
of opportunity to all and aim at the widest and most equitable distribution of national we
c Terms of Reference:
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i) To review the development that has taken place since independence.
To assess the resources - material and human, which can be made available for d
ii)
beginning from April, 1954 (later changed to April, 1955).
To prepare a national plan of development based on the fullest possible utilisation
iii) in a period of 5 years from Ist April, 1955 as a step towards the attainment of the
Government's policy.
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9/23/2010