ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) Friday approved worth Rs 211.691 billion development projects including Rs 43.99 billion power sector projects and Rs 167.701 billion projects related to social, education and other sectors.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired ECNEC meeting held here at the PM’s Office. In line with the government’s commitment to overcoming the power shortage in the country, the special emphasis had been accorded to power projects, a press release issued after the ECNEC meeting here said.
The ECNEC approved following four power sector projects:
i. Construction of new 220 kV Guddu-Sibbi single circuit transmission line for improvement of power supply system in South areas at a total rationalised cost of Rs 8.366 billion;
ii. 500 kV Lahore North Substation along with associated transmission lines at a total rationalised cost of Rs 20.732 billion;
iii. Evacuation of power from 1,410 MW Terbela 5th Extension Hydropower project at a total rationalised cost of Rs 4.14 billion;
iv. Evacuation of power from 1,224 MW Wind Power Project at Jhimpir clusters at a total rationalised cost of Rs 10.752 billion.
ECNEC also approved the following projects related to social, education, transport and communication, and water resources sectors:
a. Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme (Phase-III) at a total revised cost of Rs 21.335 billion. The prime minister directed HEC to prepare ‘Laptop-for-all Programme’ that shall provide Laptops to all eligible students.
b. Extension of Water Resources for Faisalabad City (Phase-II) at a total rationalised cost of Rs 14.636 billion;
c. Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Programme in Sahiwal and Sialkot at a total rationalised cost of Rs 26.325 billion.
d. Award of Allama Muhammad Iqbal 3,000 scholarships to Afghan students by HEC at a total rationalised cost of Rs 7.352 billion.
The prime minister directed HEC to complete the project within three years instead of five years i.e 1000 scholarships per year.
e. Rehabilitation, up-gradation and widening of Quetta-Dhadher section of N-65 (118.322 km) at a total rationalised cost of Rs 7.115 billion.
f. Construction for improvement and widening of Chitral – Ayun – Bumborate road (48 Km) at a total rationalised cost of Rs 4.6 billion.
The prime minister directed KP government to ensure the cultural preservation of the Kalash tribe in collaboration with civil society and non-governmental organisations.
g. Design, Tendering Assistance and Construction of Malakand Tunnel Project at a total revised cost of Rs 16.554 billion.
h. Procurement/ manufacture of 820 High Capacity Bogie Freight Wagons and 230 Passenger Coaches for Pakistan Railways at a total rationalised cost of Rs 31.194 billion.
i. Procurement/ construction of six Maritime Patrol Vessels (MPVs) for Pakistan Maritime Security Agency at a revised cost of Rs 16.28 billion.
j. Construction of Garuk Storage Dam, District Kharan, Balochistan at a total rationalised cost of Rs 10.511 billion.
k. Establishment of Combined Effluent Treatment Plants for Industrial Areas of Karachi including laying of Interceptor Sewers at a total cost of Rs 11.799 billion.
