Ecnec approves integrated transit trade management system

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec), in its meeting here Friday chaired by finance minister Ishaq Dar accorded approval to Integrated Transit Trade Management System (ITTMS) for enhancing facilities at Chaman, Torkhum and Wagha borders at an estimated cost of Rs31.686 billion including ADB’s loan of $250 million.
It also approved Punjab Police Integrated Command Control and Communication (PP-IC3) Programme with the total cost of Rs13.817 billion. This project was approved in principle with the direction that the project cost should be rationalised.
A top official told this reporter that the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) had approved this development project in its August 31, 2015 meeting in which the technical appraisal of the Planning Commission had raised certain objections after which the CDWP approved this project with certain conditions.
Now after just four days later Ecnec has also approved this project on the condition that after opening of financial bid if there is any escalation in the cost then the project should be submitted again to Ecnec.
Under (ITTMS) project, modern trade and transit facilities will be established at border crossing points at Torkham, Chamman and Wagah.
The committee accorded approval for the award of 3000 scholarships to students from Afghanistan under prime minister’s directives. The government will provide Rs4201.541 million for this scheme. The meeting was briefed that up to June 2015 Rs2504.541million were already released for the project.
The committee discussed and approved the Economic Transformation Initiatives in Gilgit-Baltistan. The project entails a total cost of Rs12,315.50 million including $89.98 million soft loan from International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The project is aimed at transformation of the region through improvements in agriculture and land development and farm-to-market roads in Gilgit-Baltistan. The project also includes value chain development and social mobilization.
Ecnec also approved “Prime Minister’s Youth Training Scheme 2015-18 at the total cost of Rs23,594.911 million, and land acquisition for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor-related KKH Improvement Project. Islamabad-Raikot section (Phase-I), Havelian-Thakot (120Km) road at the total rationalised cost of Rs6859million. The National Highway Authority will be the executing agency for the project.
It also considered and approved in principle the Yakmach-Kharan road project in Balochistan at an estimated cost of Rs13,758 million. It will be completed in 24 months.
The meeting also considered in detail Makhi Farash Link Canal Project (Chotiari phase-II), Sindh for water supply to Thar coal and decided that the federal and provincial governments would share the project cost of Rs10,612.40 million at 50:50 percent. The committee also approved the revision of Shadi Kaur Dam as well Ghabir Dam, Chakwal, Punjab.