Ecnec approves 10 projects worth Rs172.7bn

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Monday under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar approved ten projects with an estimated cost of Rs172.7 billion but deferred one project.

The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired the meeting of the Executive Committee on National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Monday. The committee considered eleven development projects approving ten projects costing Rs172.7 billion. One project was deferred for further clarification on the part of the Ministry of Health.

The Ecnec granted approval for six of the approved projects belonged to Balochistan. The approved projects pertain to health, skills development and solid waste management sectors recommended by CDWP; and infrastructure sector projects for improving connectivity in the provinces of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.

The Ecnec approved Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Programme to empower over 150,000 youth by imparting training in the area of IT and Industry with cost of Rs15 billion. The forum approved land acquisition for the Gwadar-Quetta rail connectivity project with estimated cost of Rs15.6 billion. The forum approved land acquisition for the rail connectivity project with Afghanistan from Kohat through Kharlachi (Rs15.7 billion).

For east-west connectivity of Balochistan, two projects costing (Rs26.3 billion) for upgradation of Dirgi Shahbozai to Taunsa road; and the Khani Cross to Ziarat-Sanjavi road, construction of road from Sui to Kashmore at cost of Rs9.4 billion in Balochistan.

The Ecnec approved the World Bank funded project for developing solid waste infrastructure for Karachi at cost of Rs29.2 billion including World Bank financing of Rs27.8 billion. The World Bank funded Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), Karachi at cost of Rs29.2 billion was approved.

The upgradation of Gaddani Shipbreaking and Recycling Industry at cost of Rs12.9 billion got approved. The Gwadar-Lasbela Livelihood Support Project (Phase-II) to enhance the incomes and livelihoods of the rural fishermen and agricultural households of Balochistan got the nod. The project cost stands at Rs19.4 billion with IFAD and Saudi financing of about Rs17.8 billion.

The forum was apprised that the balance allocation for the remaining period needs to be prioritised during formulation of PSDP; with the progress against the targets assigned to the projects to be gauged in term of its outcomes.