CDWP Approves 12 Development Projects Worth Rs. 187 Billion

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved 12 development projects worth Rs. 187 billion during its meeting chaired by Minister PDSI & Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal, Out of these, 6 projects worth Rs. 19 billion have been approved by the CDWP forum, while the forum has recommended 6 projects worth Rs. 168 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for its consideration. The meeting was attended by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, Additional Secretary of Planning, Members of the Planning Commission, as well as respective Federal Secretaries heads of Provincial and representatives from Federal Ministries and Provincial Governments. The agenda included a discussion on projects in Health, Industries & Commerce, Physical Planning & Housing, Transport & Communication, and Water Resources sectors. During the CDWP meeting, chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the Minister emphasized the importance of cost rationalization, instructing officials that the role of the CDWP forum is to optimize project expenditures and save resources. He highlighted that Pakistan is facing significant economic challenges, and therefore, every penny must be used judiciously. Three projects related to the Health sector were presented in the meeting namely “Establishment of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College Mirpur AJ&K (Revised) worth Rs. 5089.779 million, “Establishment of 200 beds Accident and Emergency Center at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad (Revised)” worth Rs. 6,632.589 million and “Replacement & Up-gradation of HVAC Plant Room Equipment and Allied works at PIMS Islamabad (2nd Revision)” worth Rs. 1,654.100 million approved by the CDWP forum. A project related to the Industries & Commerce sector was presented in the meeting namely “Invest Pakistan” worth Rs. 1388.84 million approved by the forum. Projects related to Physical Planning & Housing sector presented in the meeting namely “Karachi Water & Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP) Phase-I” worth Rs. 25,471.164 million recommended to ECNEC for consideration. The project will be funded through the World Bank and the Government of Sindh. Another project of Physical Planning & Housing was presented namely “Greater Water Supply Scheme for Central Hunza from Attabad Lake (Revised)” worth Rs. 2,075.667 million approved by the forum. While approving the project, the Planning Minister emphasized the importance of introducing solar energy projects in the region. Five projects related to the Transport & Communications sector were presented in the meeting. The first project presented in the meeting namely ” Inter-Regional Connectivity Between Baltistan Division & Diamer Astore Division (Construction/Metaling of Road from Gorikote Astore to Shagarthang Skardu) Revised” worth Rs. 12,302.147 million was referred to ECNEC for further consideration. The revised project envisages the construction of a 105-km long road starting from Kachura (Skardu District) and, after passing through Bobin, terminating at Astore Valley road at Gorikot. The road passes through Kachura, Soq Kachura, and Shagharthang Villages, climbs up to Bobin Valley, and descends down to Gorikot. The construction of the road will provide a safer and more comfortable travel facility between the districts of Gilgit-Baltistan and between GB and AJK through the Shounter Tunnel. While discussing inter-regional connectivity between the Baltistan Division and the Diamer-Astore Division, the Minister instructed officials to formulate a comprehensive tourism development plan as well as a land zoning plan. He urged the involvement of a reputable tourism consultant to design a strategy that balances infrastructure growth with the preservation of the area’s natural beauty. The Minister highlighted that road construction should go beyond improving connectivity and be part of a broader area development initiative. Another project of the T&C sector presented namely Procurement of Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles for the new Gwadar International Airport (New)” worth Rs. 2,079.758 million was approved by the forum. It is self-financed by the Pakistan Airports Authority. The T& C sector also presented the project namely “Construction / Upgradation of Dirgi Shahbozai (N-70) to Tonusa Sharif (N-55) road length -155 Km (Revised)” worth Rs. 11,549.758 million and was recommended to ECNEC for further consideration. The Revised Project PC-I envisages the construction/upgradation of a 175-kilometer-long road starting from DirgiShabozai on the National Highway (N-70) and terminating at Taunsa Sharif on the National Highway (N-55), in the Baluchistan and Punjab Provinces. The scope of work includes the construction/improvement of bridges, culverts, retaining walls, and protection works. The scope of work also includes the improvement of shoulders, curves, gradients, slopes, and road infrastructure along with allied structures and facilities. The Transport Communication Division presented the project namely ” Construction of Ziarat More – Kachi – Harnai – Sanjavi – Road Project Package -I Ziarat  Mor- Kachi – Harnai Road 109.882 Km, Package -I Harnai – Sanjavi – Road 55.83 Km (Revised)” worth Rs. 24,423.9 million was referred to ECNEC for further consideration after 3rd party validation. The project envisages, the construction/widening/rehabilitation of the existing road from Ziarat Mor-Kach-Harnai (109.882-Kilometre) and from Harnai to Sanjavi (55.834-Kilometre) in the Harnai and Ziarat Districts of Baluchistan Province. The scope of work includes the construction/rehabilitation of existing & new bridges, box & pipe culverts, causeways, retaining & breast walls, and embankments. The scope of work also includes the provision of ancillary works, drainage & erosion works, protection works, rehabilitation, improvement in geometry, road furniture, and allied structures on either side of the road. The Minister of PDSI stated that projects in Balochistan are a priority for the Federal Government, and maximum resources are being proposed for these initiatives in the province. Another project of T& C presented namely “Construction of Lahore Bypass from Kalashah Kaku Exit to KLM to Mulyam Road Near Radio Station 18.5 Km (Revised)” worth Rs. 34446.585 million was referred to ECNEC for further consideration. Two projects related to the Water Resources sector presented in the meeting namely “Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project SFERP Irrigation Component (Revised)” worth Rs. 59,911.990 million referred to ECNEC for further consideration. The project is proposed to be funded through the World Bank & Government of Sindh. The project titled “Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project – SFERP (Irrigation Component)” was prepared for the rehabilitation of Irrigation & Drainage Networks damaged, during the flood of 2022. Rehabilitation of existing infrastructure will be undertaken along with the construction of flood detention dams/weirs for urban flooding. The scope of the project comprises Infrastructure Rehabilitation, Emergent Rehabilitation Works, Emergent Works, Long Term Rehabilitation Works, Institutional Strengthening for Resilience, and Technical Assistance.