CDWP approves 12 development projects worth of Rs265bn

ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved 12 development projects with a total cost of Rs265 billion. Out of these, six projects worth Rs16 billion have been approved by the CDWP forum, while the panel recommended seven projects worth Rs249 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) for its consideration.

A meeting of the Planning Commission was held here on Tuesday chaired by Deputy Chairman Jehanzeb Khan and attended by the Commission secretary, additional secretary, JCE (Ops), JCE (EP), members as well as representatives from the federal ministries and provincial governments.

The agenda included discussion on projects of energy, education, health, environment & climate, physical planning & housing, industries & commerce, and transport & communication sectors.

Three projects related to education sector presented in the meeting namely ‘Construction of Cadet College Kharan (2nd Revised)’ worth Rs2.944 billion, second project was ‘Establishment of Federal Government College of Home Economics Management Sciences and Specialised Discipline, F-11/1’ worth Rs1.599 billion approved by the CDWP forum. Another project of the education sector presented in the meeting ‘Establishment of Danish School Balochistan’ worth Rs9.951 billion recommended to Ecnec for further consideration.

A project related to energy sector presented in the meeting namely ‘Construction of 84 MW Gorkin Matiltan HPP(Revised)’ worth Rs35.758 billion recommended to Ecnec for consideration. As much as 20 percent of the project cost would be met through provincial ADP and 80 percent cost would be met through KP Hydel Development Fund. The objective of the project is the construction of 84 MW Gorkin-Matiltan run-of-the river hydro power project located on the right bank of the Ushu River in District Swat, with cheaper and renewable annual energy generation of about 346 GWh along with 40 km 220/132 KV transmission line from Matiltan HPP to existing Daral Khwar HPP. The scope of the project is comprised of preliminary works, civil works, hydro-mechanical equipment, and electrical equipment.

Two projects related to environment & climate sector were also presented namely ‘Solid Waste Emergency & Efficiency Project (SWEEP, Revised)’ worth Rs29.222.012 billion recommended to Ecnec for further consideration. The project would be implemented by PIU/ SWEEP under local government department GoS. After the implementation of the project the project intervention will be sustained by Sindh Solid Waste Management Board. The project is proposed to be financed through World Bank funding and Government of Sindh share. The second project related ‘Up-Scaling of Green Pakistan Programme (Revised)’worth Rs122.146 billion recommended to Ecnec for further consideration. The sponsor agency is the Ministry of Climate Change, four provincial governments and AJK and GB governments.

A project related to health sector presented in the meeting namely ‘Upgradation of Radiology Department at Shaikh Zayed Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore (Revised)’ worth Rs1.838 billion approved by the CDWP forum. The project is proposed to be handed over to the provincial govt.

A project related to industries & commerce sector ‘Establishment of Project Management Unit (PMU) on China Pakistan Economic Corridor - Industrial Cooperation Development Project (Revised)’ worth Rs497 million was approved by the forum.

A project related to physical planning & housing ‘Construction of Additional Suits (104) for Members of Parliament including Server quarters’ worth Rs4.1 billion was recommended by the CDA chairman in two phases, hence phase-I was approved completing by end of June 2025 at total cost of Rs4.1 billion recommended to Ecnec for further consideration.

Three projects related to transport & communications ‘Widening/ Improvement and Re-Conditioning of Road from Khani Cross to Ziarat (70km) and Ziarat to Sinjavi (64) District Ziarat New Link (Ziarat Cross to Nawa Killi Quetta via Saran Tangi 35 km) (Revised)’ worth Rs.22.548 billion recommended to Ecnec for further consideration. The project envisages improvement of 134-kilometre long and 07.3- meter wide, single carriageway comprises Khani Cross to Ziarat (Length: 70-Kilometre) and Ziarat to Sinjawi (Length: 64-kilometre), from existing 06.096-meter width to 07.3-meter two lane blacktop road with 02.5-meter wide Double Surface Treatment (DST) shoulders on both sides. The scope of work also includes structures work, bridge work, box & pipe culverts, bridges, retaining walls, drains and ancillary work. The project would serve as the main route to connect Quetta with Ziarat for locals, tourists and transporters as the existing 6.096-meter wide road is in poor condition. The project belongs to Government of Balochistan and recommended at rationalised cost of Rs15 billion to be funded 100 percent from Federal PSDP. However, any further increase in cost will be bear by the provincial government.

Second project of T&C sector ‘Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), Karachi (Revised)’ worth Rs29.287 billion recommended to Ecnec for further consideration. The project is being financed 100 percent through the federal PSDP.

Another project of the same sector ‘Rehabilitation / Construction of Road in SITE Industrial Estate, Karachi (Revised)’ worth Rs5.015 billion approved with full financing from the PSDP; however, in case of increase in cost additional cost will be bare by the provincial government.