ISLAMABAD, Sep 20 (APP): Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (PDSI) & Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal on Friday chaired a meeting of the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) that approved uplift projects worth of Rs 187 billion.
“Out of these, six projects worth Rs 19 billion have been approved by the CDWP forum, while it recommended six projects of Rs 168 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for its consideration,” a news release said.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, Additional Secretary Planning, members of the Planning Commission, as well as respective federal secretaries, and representatives from federal ministries and provincial governments.
During the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the importance of cost rationalization, instructing the officials that the role of the CDWP forum was to optimize project expenditures and save resources.
He highlighted that Pakistan was facing significant economic challenges, and therefore, every penny must be used judiciously.
The forum approved three projects namely “Establishment of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College Mirpur AJ&K (Revised) worth Rs 5089.779 million; “Establishment of 200 beds Accident and Emergency Center at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad (Revised)” worth Rs 6,632.589 million and “Replacement & Up-gradation of HVAC Plant Room Equipment and Allied works at PIMS Islamabad (2nd Revision)” worth Rs 1,654.100 million.
It also okayed a project related to the Industries & Commerce sector namely “Invest Pakistan” worth Rs 1,388.84 million.
A project related to Physical Planning & Housing sector namely “Karachi Water & Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP) Phase-I” worth Rs 25,471.164 million was recommended to ECNEC for consideration. The project will be funded through World Bank and Government of Sindh.
The meeting approved another project of Physical Planning & Housing – “Greater Water Supply Scheme for Central Hunza from Attabad Lake (Revised)” worth Rs 2,075.667 million.
While approving the project, the Planning Minister emphasized the importance of introducing solar energy projects in the region.
The CDWP referred a project “Inter-Regional Connectivity Between Baltistan Division & Diamer Astore Division (Construction/Metaling of Road from Gorikote Astore to Shagarthang Skardu) (Revised)” worth Rs12,302.147 million to ECNEC for further consideration.
The revised project envisages the construction of a 105-km long road starting from Kachura (Skardu District) and, after passing through Bobin, terminates at Astore Valley road at Gorikot. The road passes through Kachura, Soq Kachura, and Shagharthang villages, climbs up to Bobin Valley, and descends down to Gorikot. The construction of the road will provide a safer and more comfortable travel facility between the districts of Gilgit-Baltistan and between GB and AJK through Shounter Tunnel.
While discussing inter-regional connectivity between Baltistan Division and Diamer-Astore Division, Ahsan Iqbal instructed officials concerned to formulate a comprehensive tourism development plan as well as land zoning plan. He urged the involvement of a reputable tourism consultant to design a strategy that balances infrastructure growth with the preservation of the area’s natural beauty.
The minister highlighted that road construction should go beyond improving connectivity and be part of a broader area development initiative.
Another project of T&C sector ‘Procurement of Aircraft Rescue and Fir Fighting (ARFF) vehicles’ for the new Gwadar International Airport (New)” worth Rs 2,079.758 million was approved by the forum. It is self-financed by the Pakistan Airports Authority.
The T& C sector also presented the project namely “Construction / Upgradation of Dirgi Shahbozai (N-70) to Tonusa Sharif (N-55) road length -155 Km (Revised)” worth Rs 11,549.758 million and which was recommended to ECNEC for further consideration.
The Revised Project PC-I envisages construction / upgradation of 175-Kilometre long road starting from Dirgi Shabozai on National Highway (N-70) and terminating at Taunsa Sharif on National Highway (N-55), in the Balochistan and Punjab provinces. The scope of work includes construction / improvement of bridges, culverts, retaining walls and protection works. The scope of work also includes improvement of shoulders, curves, gradient, slopes, road infrastructure along with allied structures and facilities.
During the meeting, the Transport Communication Division presented the project namely ” Construction of Ziarat More – Kachi – Harnai – Sanjavi – Road Project Package -I Ziarat Mor- Kachi – Harnai Road 109.882 Km, Package -I Harnai – Sanjavi – Road 55.83 Km (Revised)” worth Rs. 24,423.900 million which was referred to ECNEC for further consideration after 3rd party validation.
The project envisages construction / widening / rehabilitation of existing road from Ziarat Mor-Kach-Harnai (109.882-Kilometre) and from Harnai to Sanjavi (55.834-Kilometre) in the Harnai and Ziarat districts of Balochistan Province. The scope of work includes construction / rehabilitation of existing & new bridges, box & pipe culverts, causeways, retaining & breast walls and embankment. The scope of work also includes provision of ancillary works, drainage & erosion works, protection works, rehabilitation, improvement in geometry, road furniture and allied structures on either side of the road.
The minister stated that projects in Balochistan were a priority for the Federal Government, and maximum resources were being proposed for the initiatives in the province.
The meeting referred another project of T&C sector namely “Construction of Lahore Bypass from Kalashah Kaku Exit to KLM to Mulyam Road Near Radio Station 18.5 Km (Revised)” worth Rs 34,446.585 million to ECNEC for further consideration.
Besides, it forwarded two projects related to Water Resources sector namely “Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project SFERP Irrigation Component (Revised)” worth Rs 59,911.990 million to ECNEC.
The project is proposed to be funded through World Bank & Government of Sindh.
The project titled “Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project – SFERP (Irrigation Component)” was prepared for the rehabilitation of Irrigation & Drainage Networks damaged, during the flood of 2022.
Rehabilitation of existing infrastructure will be undertaken along with the construction of flood detention dams/weirs for the urban flooding.
The scope of project comprises Infrastructure Rehabilitation, Emergent Rehabilitation Works, Emergent Works, Long Term Rehabilitation Works, Institutional Strengthening for Resilience and Technical Assistance.