THE COLOMBO PLAN

the Government of Pakistan have now drawn up a six-year plan of development which embodies the projects of highest priority. The programme is essentially one of basic development intended to prepare the country for future advancement. It does not, therefore, aim at spectacular results in terms of the present living standards of the people, although a beginning will have been made in this direction if the plan is carried out. The plan is inspired not only by the desire to improve the standard of living, but also by the conviction that the country is endowed with an industrious and virile people inhabiting a land whose natural resources call for a vigorous programme of development. It is based on the assumption that Pakistan must continue to be essentially an agricultural country, but that agriculture must be carried on in the most efficient way. The present low yield per acre is due to the continuance of antiquated and obsolete methods and the shortage of modern equipment. Description of the Programme 6. Pakistan's programme is estimated to cost R5.2,600 million, divided in the following way: Table 10. —Pakistan : Analysis of Programme Rs. million £ million Percentage Agriculture 820 88 32 Transport and communications — Railways 200 5- oa / s r 530 57 20 Ports 140 I Telecommunications 90 J Fuel and power 470 51 18 Industry and mining* 490 53 19 Social capital— Housing 40" Health and medical 40 Education 100 f 290 31 11 Technical training and polytechnics 90 Water supply 20 _ Total 2,600 280 100 * Excluding coal. The main features of this programme are briefly described in the following paragraphs. 7. Agriculture.—Agriculture constitutes the largest section of the development programme. The introduction of modern methods and mechanical equipment and the increased use of fertilisers are urgent necessities. The agricultural programme will involve an expenditure of about R5.820 million, distributed as follows: Table 11. —Pakistan : Distribution of Cost of Agricultural Section of Programme Rs. million Irrigation 234 Land settlement 159 Anti-waterlogging measures 123 Improved varieties of seeds ... ... ... 99 Subsidisation of fertilisers and manures 92 Mechanisation ... 80 Development of animal husbandry 20 Development of fisheries 10 Miscellaneous agricultural schemes 3

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