CDWP approves seven development projects worth Rs15.17bn, refers four major schemes to ECNEC

ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Thursday approved seven development projects worth Rs15.174 billion and recommended four major projects costing Rs108.16 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration.

The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, who also serves as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of Pakistan. Senior officials, including the chief economist, vice chancellor of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, federal secretaries, provincial planning heads and representatives from ministries and provincial governments attended the meeting.

The forum reviewed projects spanning key sectors including education and training, governance, health, higher education, information technology, physical planning and housing, power and water. Officials said the initiatives are aligned with the government’s broader development agenda under the URAAN Pakistan programme, aimed at strengthening human capital, improving infrastructure and promoting sustainable economic growth.

Education sector

The meeting approved the project “Establishment of Daanish School at Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Haveli-Kahuta)” costing Rs4.687 billion. While discussing the project, Ahsan Iqbal stressed the importance of expanding quality education in underserved areas as part of the government’s focus on human capital development.

He directed the education ministry to provide a year-wise breakdown of operational expenses for all Daanish Schools and submit financial projections for upcoming budgets to ensure smooth operation of the institutions.

Health sector

Two revised health projects were reviewed during the meeting. The project “Upgradation of DHQ Hospital District Hafizabad” worth Rs7.931 billion was recommended to ECNEC.

Ahsan Iqbal observed that the project falls within the provincial domain and should ideally be financed by the Government of Punjab. The forum decided that any additional financial liability would be borne by the provincial government and excess funds released by the federal government would be reimbursed.

Another project, “National Health Support Programme (KP Component)” worth Rs1.335 billion, was approved after detailed deliberations.

Higher education

The CDWP also approved the project “Prime Minister’s Scheme for Enabling Youth with Physical Challenges at HEIs through Electric Wheelchairs, Laptops for Blinds, Audio-Visual Aids – HEC” costing Rs1.846 billion.

Ahsan Iqbal directed the Higher Education Commission to ensure that the facilities are provided only to full-time students enrolled in public sector universities.

Information technology

A revised project titled “Land Records Management Information System in the Rural Areas of ICT, Islamabad” worth Rs185.691 million was also approved. The planning minister highlighted that digitisation of land records would enhance transparency, improve governance and streamline public service delivery.

Physical planning and housing

Two projects were approved in this sector, including the construction of an administrative block for the Supreme Court of Pakistan branch registry in Quetta worth Rs231.604 million, and the revised “Pakistan Audit and Accounts Academy Islamabad” project costing Rs3.106 billion.

Power sector

Three projects in the power sector were discussed. The “Electricity Distribution Efficiency Improvement Project HESCO” worth Rs19.016 billion and the “Electricity Distribution Efficiency Improvement Project (PESCO)” costing Rs30.255 billion were recommended to ECNEC for approval.

Both projects will largely be financed through funding from the World Bank along with contributions from respective power distribution companies.

Another project titled “Hydropower and Renewable Energy-II, Gilgit-Baltistan” worth Rs3.781 billion was approved to promote clean energy and improve power access in the region.

Read More: CDA reviews preparations to prevent fires in Margalla Hills before fire season

Water sector

A revised project titled “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Irrigated Agriculture Improvement Project” worth Rs50.956 billion was also recommended to ECNEC.

The project will be financed mainly through World Bank funding, with farmers contributing 20% of the cost. It includes rehabilitation of over 14,000 community watercourses across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, installation of modern irrigation systems, construction of water storage tanks and provision of laser land levelling equipment.

Officials said the project will also support climate-smart agriculture, promote water conservation and strengthen farmers’ capacity through training and awareness programmes.