CDWP Approves 10 Development Projects Worth Over Rs. 249 Billion
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), in a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, approved ten development projects across various sectors.
Of the total, four projects with a combined estimated cost of Rs. 21.83 billion received direct approval from the CDWP. Six additional large-scale projects, valued at approximately Rs. 227.34 billion, were recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.
The meeting was attended by Planning Secretary Awais Manzur Sumra, the Chief Economist, Vice Chancellor of PIDE, federal secretaries, heads of provincial Planning & Development departments, and senior officials from relevant ministries and provincial governments.
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The agenda covered key sectors including Transport and Communications, Environment, Higher Education, and Information Technology.
Approved Projects:
- Safe City Expansion (Islamabad): A new project to enhance urban security in the capital was approved at a cost of Rs. 7.5 billion.
- National Center for Quantum Computing (NCQC): A new initiative in higher education and emerging technology, approved at a cost of Rs. 3.3 billion.
- Punjab Clean Air Program (PCAP): The IPF component of this environmental project was approved with a budget of Rs. 5.7 billion.
- Rehabilitation of Track Maintenance Machines (Pakistan Railways): The revised project was approved at a cost of Rs. 5.3 billion.
Projects Referred to ECNEC:
- Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) – Revised: Cost revised to Rs. 21.19 billion.
- Dualization of Sargodha–Khushab–Mianwali Road (60.43 km): Revised cost of Rs. 11.81 billion.
- Controlled Access Corridor from Niazi Interchange to Babu Sabu Interchange, Lahore: New project worth Rs. 10.84 billion.
- Dualization of Road from Gujranwala to M-2 Interchange at Kot Sarwar via Hafizabad (70.5 km): Revised to Rs. 13.23 billion.
- Reconstruction of National Highway N-5 under Resilient Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (Phase-I, 210 km): New project with a massive estimated cost of Rs. 155.41 billion.
- Dualization of Road from Chishtian to Chak No. 46/3R via Dahrnawala (41.15 km) with an additional link road (4.86 km): Revised project costing Rs. 14.86 billion.
The CDWP emphasized the importance of timely execution and transparent implementation of all approved and proposed projects to ensure sustainable development outcomes across the country.
