ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved 10 development projects with a total cost of Rs.115.458 billion during its meeting chaired by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan,
Out of these, 8 projects worth Rs. 17.297 billion were approved by the CDWP forum, while it recommended two projects worth Rs.98.161 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for consideration. The meeting was attended by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, Members of the Planning Commission, Additional Secretary Planning, as well as representatives from Federal Ministries and Provincial Governments. The agenda included projects in Agriculture & Food, Energy, Governance, Health, Higher Education, Physical Planning & Housing, Science & Technology, Transport & Communication, Water Resources, Education, Energy Governance, and Industries & Commerce sectors.
A project related to the Agriculture & Food sector presented in the meeting namely “Sindh Livestock and Aquaculture Development Project (World Bank Assisted)” worth Rs. 38,360 million recommended to ECNEC for approval. The project aims to enhance the competitiveness, inclusivity, climate resilience, and sustainability of the livestock and aquaculture sectors in Sindh. One of its main objectives is to promote the adoption of Best Management Practices (BMPs) through institutional strengthening in these sectors.
A project related to the Energy sector presented in the meeting namely “765/500/220/132kV Islamabad West Substation(Revised)” Worth Rs. 59, 801 million referred to ECNEC for further consideration. The project was proposed to be funded by the World Bank as part of the National Transmission & Modernization Project Phase-I, along with NTDC’s own equity. Its aim is to establish a 765/500/220/132 kV substation in Islamabad West, accompanied by relevant transmission lines, to meet the increasing power demands in the areas under Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO). Additionally, the grid station will facilitate the distribution of power from various sources including Suki Kinari, Tarbela 5th extension, and Dasu hydroelectric power projects to the National Grid.
Two projects related to the governance sector approved in the meeting namely “ Modernization and Upgradation of Pakistan Mint Phase-II (Revised)” worth Rs. 2479.212 million were accorded approval by the forum. The sponsoring and implementation agency of the project will be the Finance Division.
Another project of the governance sector was presented namely “Project Management, Technical Assistance, and Institutional Strengthening through Federal Project Management Unit Post-Flood 2022 Reconstruction Program: Resilience Enhancement and Livelihood Diversification in Balochistan – Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project,” worth Rs. 2380 million accorded approval by the CDWP forum. The sponsoring and implementation agency is the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. The proposed project will be financed through the World Bank’s loan amounting to US$8.5 million.
During the meeting, five projects related to the Physical Planning & Housing sector were discussed in detail. Notably, the “Smart Environmental Sanitation System and Landfill Project - Gwadar (Revised)” worth Rs. 3277.160 million was approved by the forum. The Gwadar Development Authority will be executing the agency as well as implementing it in collaboration with the Chinese government, operating under the auspices of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The second project in the same sector of physical planning & housing namely “Project Management Unit for construction of Wastewater Treatment Plant at Babu Sabu, Lahore (Revised)” with a cost of Rs. 78.492 million was approved by the forum. Following that the project “Capacity Building Project for performance improvement of the Lahore & Faisalabad Water & Sanitation Agencies, Punjab,” worth Rs. 4238.850 million, was presented and approved. Additionally, the fourth project, addressing post-flood 2022 reconstruction in Balochistan, focused on “Resilience Enhancement and Livelihood Diversification in Balochistan (Public Health Engineering /Water Supply Infrastructure Sector)” with a cost of Rs. 2800 million accorded approval in the meeting.
The fifth project, “Construction of Audit House, Lahore,” worth Rs. 1528.931 million, also got approval from the forum following thorough deliberation.
A project related to the Science & Technology sector presented in the meeting namely “Establishment of Regional Nuclear Safety Inspectorate at Lahore (Revised)” worth Rs. 515 million approved by the CDWP after a detailed discussion.