Dasu project referred to PM for decision

ISLAMABAD: The government has deferred the position paper for the Dasu Hydropower Project (Stage-1), with a cost of Rs486.093 billion, including a foreign exchange component of Rs218.5 billion, and decided to refer this project to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for a final decision.

The Planning Commission’s Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, held its meeting on Monday but could not approve the position paper of the Dasu project due to its significant cost. Approving this project would impact the financing of the other projects. However, it was also emphasised during the meeting that the construction of the Dasu hydropower project is crucial and cannot be ignored for a longer period.

Considering this complexity, the CDWP decided to refer this project to PM Shehbaz Sharif so that an informed decision could be made.

The CDWP also discussed a working paper from the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training regarding the establishment of a Danish school on Kuri Road, Islamabad. The project was given the green light, and sponsors were asked to conduct a feasibility study, rationalise costs, and firm up the governance model.

An official announcement made after the meeting stated that the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) meeting, chaired by Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, convened on Friday and approved one development project alongside a concept clearance proposal.

Planning Secretary Awais Manzur Sumra, members of the Planning Commission, Additional Secretary Planning Kamran Rehman, representatives of the federal ministries, and provincial governments attended the meeting.

The CDWP approved a project in the physical planning and housing sector: “Establishment of a National Forensic Science Agency at Islamabad (fifth revised PC-1).”

This project, with a cost of Rs1,831.114 million, aims to establish a national forensic science agency in Islamabad. This revised version focuses solely on the Islamabad agency, whereas the original project approved in 2002 aimed to establish forensic science laboratories across provincial headquarters, with a main laboratory and training facilities in Islamabad.

The finance ministry also presented a concept clearance proposal for the “Promoting Sustainable Public Private Partnership Programme” with a total cost of US $500 million. The CDWP approved the first phase of the programme, valued at US $250 million. This programme aims to improve the environment for infrastructure financing by promoting public-private partnerships (PPPs) at the federal level. It seeks to attract private investment in crucial sectors like roads, housing, healthcare, education, water and sanitation, and technology.

The programme will follow a programmematic approach to implement core policy, legal, and institutional reforms and build capacity within relevant institutions to ensure long-term sustainability. It aligns with Pakistan’s Vision 2025 pillars, which aim to transform Pakistan’s economy into one of the top 10 in the world by 2047.