CDWP clears Rs435.665 billion uplift projects, sends six schemes to Executive Committee

ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party approved and recommended 12 development projects worth Rs435.665 billion on Thursday, including six projects valued at Rs16.904 billion and six major schemes worth Rs418.761 billion, sent to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council for final approval.

The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Professor Ahsan Iqbal.

Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, members of the Planning Commission, federal secretaries, heads of provincial planning and development departments and senior representatives of relevant ministries and provincial governments attended the meeting.

The forum reviewed projects in information technology, physical planning and housing, power and water sectors, with a focus on infrastructure modernisation, governance reforms and sustainable economic growth under the URAAN Pakistan initiative.

In the power sector, the Central Development Working Party approved five projects, including installation of Asset Performance Management Systems in SEPCO, QESCO, PESCO and HAZECO, along with a capacity-building project for the Boosting Energy Security through Transmission in Pakistan programme.

The approved power projects are aimed at strengthening distribution networks, improving operational efficiency and reducing technical losses.

Two major power sector schemes were referred to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council. These included the installation of Asset Performance Management Systems in LESCO at a cost of Rs24.065 billion and the installation of Reactive Power Compensation Devices in the National Grid Company network at a cost of Rs194.951 billion.

Ahsan Iqbal directed authorities to include procurement specialists in mega projects and standardise cost estimates for major distribution companies. He also called for comprehensive load assessments to support planning and implementation.

He said energy security remained a key pillar of URAAN Pakistan and directed that power infrastructure be modernised through advanced technologies, digital asset management systems and stronger transmission networks, while accommodating rising solar energy integration into the national grid.

The forum also recommended the Punjab Urban Land Systems Enhancement Project to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council. The Rs43.081 billion project will be financed by the World Bank.

The project covers digitisation of urban and rural land records, cadastral mapping, digitisation of property deeds, modernisation of land administration systems and creation of an inventory management system for state land assets.

Ahsan Iqbal directed that the impact of exchange-rate variations be reconciled with the Government of Punjab before the project is submitted for final approval.

The Central Development Working Party approved the Smart Islamabad Initiative Phase I at a cost of Rs2.891 billion. The project aims to establish an integrated smart governance and security platform to improve inter-agency coordination, public service delivery and urban management through technology.

The minister directed that clear sector-specific outcomes be included in the PC-I to support impact assessment and accountability.

In the physical planning and housing sector, the forum referred the Construction of Wastewater Treatment Plant at Babu Sabu, Lahore, to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council. The Rs60.493 billion project is proposed to be financed by the French Development Agency.

The project aims to treat wastewater in Lahore, reduce environmental pollution, improve public health and support climate-resilient urban development. The forum directed the Member Infrastructure of the Planning Commission to review the proposed cost increase in consultation with the Punjab government before the project is submitted for final approval.

The revised Construction of Jalalpur Irrigation Canal Project and its System, costing Rs64.096 billion, was also recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.

The project is being financed mainly by the Asian Development Bank and seeks to improve irrigation infrastructure and water management in Punjab. A committee headed by the Member Infrastructure was formed to finalise the project cost before its consideration by the Executive Committee.

The forum also recommended the revised Southern Punjab Poverty Alleviation Project, assisted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, at a cost of Rs32.075 billion.

The project is financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Government of Punjab and beneficiaries. It aims to reduce poverty, improve livelihoods and promote inclusive development in remote districts of Southern Punjab.

The forum noted that the project supports the government’s poverty alleviation strategy and the URAAN Pakistan 5Es National Economic Transformation Plan, particularly in the areas of economy, infrastructure, equity and empowerment.