CDWP Approves 7 Projects, Refers Rs240.5 Billion Schemes to ECNEC

ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Thursday approved seven development projects, including four schemes worth Rs12.437 billion, while recommending three major projects with a combined cost of Rs240.537 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final consideration.

The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal. It was attended by senior officials of the Planning Commission, federal ministries, provincial planning departments and other relevant institutions.

According to the Ministry of Planning, the meeting reviewed projects in the higher education, information technology, physical planning and housing sectors in line with the government’s URAAN Pakistan development agenda.

The CDWP approved four Higher Education Commission (HEC) projects, including the Strengthening of Women University of AJ&K Bagh, Provision of Academic Facilities at Emerson University Multan, Establishment of Hyderabad Institute for Technology and Management Sciences, and the Strengthening of KBCMA CVAS project after rationalizing its cost.

During the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal directed the HEC to prepare a comprehensive master plan for university infrastructure, ensure construction contracts are awarded only to pre-qualified top-tier firms, appoint project directors strictly on merit, and include photographic evidence of completed work in all revised project proposals. He stressed transparent and efficient utilization of public funds.

The forum referred the Rs37.13 billion Pakistan Space Centre project, sponsored by SUPARCO, to ECNEC for further consideration. The project aims to establish Pakistan’s indigenous capability for designing, assembling, integrating, testing and qualifying satellites under the National Space Programme 2047, reducing dependence on foreign facilities.

The CDWP also referred the Rs31.59 billion Lahore Water and Waste Water Management Project and the revised Rs171.81 billion Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV Phase-I) to ECNEC.

While reviewing the K-IV project, Ahsan Iqbal described it as a vital public service initiative that would provide safe drinking water to Karachi, improve public health and reduce dependence on expensive private water tanker services. He directed the Sindh government to submit a comprehensive report on the synchronization of key project components, particularly the 50-megawatt power supply and distribution network, to ensure timely completion.

The Planning Minister also directed the Punjab government to ensure the allocation of adequate annual funding for the Lahore Water Supply Project through the Provincial Annual Development Programme (ADP) to avoid implementation delays.