ISLAMABAD: In a meeting presided over by the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan on Wednesday, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) greenlit seven development projects, signaling a total investment of Rs. 85.24 billion. Out of these, five projects, amounting to Rs. 13 billion, received direct approval, while two projects, totaling Rs. 72.24 billion, have been recommended for further consideration to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
As per details the gathering saw the participation of Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, senior officials from the Planning Commission, Federal Ministries/Divisions, as well as Chairman/ACS (Dev) from Provincial Governments.
Among the sectors addressed in these projects were Information Technology, Health, Physical Planning & Housing. Notably, projects from various ministries were presented and discussed.
The Ministry of Information secured approval for two projects: “Upgradation of Transmission Network & Replacement of Optical Fiber Cable, AJK & Gilgit Baltistan (revised)” worth Rs. 1.99 billion, and “Prime Minister’s Initiatives Support for IT Startups, Specialized IT Trainings, and Venture Capital (revised)” worth Rs. 5 billion.
Additionally, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination proposed the “Establishment of Infectious Disease Laboratory” worth Rs. 8.29 billion, which was recommended to ECNEC for approval. This project, financed through PSDP, aims to enhance R&D capabilities for detecting various pathogens.
Projects from the Ministry of Law & Justice also received the nod. The “Construction of Litigants Facilitation Center for Litigants and Lawyers in Sector G-10/1 Islamabad” worth Rs. 1.862 billion and the “Establishment of 93-No District Courts in Mauve Area G-11/4 Islamabad (revised)” worth Rs. 2.233 billion were approved.
Another significant approval was the “Baaikhtiyar Nojwan Internship Program Balochistan” worth Rs. 1,850 million, focusing on skill development internships, fully funded through a World Bank loan.
Lastly, the “Competitive & Livable City of Karachi (CLICK) (revised)” project worth Rs. 63.95 billion by the Government of Sindh has been recommended for ECNEC approval. This project plans to receive financing from a World Bank loan and the Government of Sindh’s counterpart sharing.
The decisions made during this CDWP session mark a significant step towards bolstering various sectors and developmental initiatives across Pakistan.
