The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved seven development projects worth a combined Rs. 252.974 billion, including four projects costing Rs. 12.437 billion, while recommending three major schemes valued at Rs. 240.537 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.
The meeting was chaired by Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal. It reviewed projects related to higher education, information technology, physical planning and housing, with a focus on infrastructure development and institutional capacity building.
The CDWP approved four higher education projects submitted by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
The revised Strengthening of Women University of AJ&K Bagh project, costing Rs. 2.551 billion, was approved in principle, subject to cost rationalization.
The CDWP formed a committee comprising members of Science and Technology, Infrastructure and Chief Physical Planning and Housing to review the project cost.
Iqbal directed the HEC to prepare comprehensive master plans for universities and ensure that construction contracts are awarded only to pre-qualified top-tier firms.
He also instructed that revised project proposals include photographic evidence of work completed under previously approved costs and that project directors be appointed based on qualifications, expertise and relevant experience.
The Provision of Academic Facilities at Emerson University Multan project, costing Rs. 1.044 billion, was approved subject to cost rationalization.
The revised Establishment of Hyderabad Institute for Technology and Management Sciences project, worth Rs. 4.56 billion, was also approved.
The HEC was directed to increase the number of buses from two to six through internal adjustments within the approved cost, remove the endowment fund from the revised PC-I and retain operational costs approved in the original plan.
The Strengthening of KBCMA College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences was approved after its cost was reduced from Rs. 5.494 billion to Rs. 4.283 billion.
The CDWP referred the revised Rs. 37.131 billion Establishment of Pakistan Space Centre (PSC) project to ECNEC for consideration.
Sponsored by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), the project aims to develop Pakistan’s indigenous capacity for satellite design, assembly, integration, testing and qualification, reducing dependence on foreign facilities.
The project is part of the National Space Programme-2047 and is expected to support satellite development for strategic, scientific and socioeconomic requirements.
The CDWP also recommended the Punjab government’s Rs. 31.592 billion Lahore Water and Waste Water Management Project to ECNEC.
The project includes construction of a surface water treatment plant at BRBD Canal, twin three-kilometer raw water pipelines, a 54 MGD treatment plant, pumping stations, filtration facilities, treated water storage tanks, sludge management systems, drainage infrastructure and a 4.5-kilometer transmission main.
It also includes measures to reduce non-revenue water through district metered areas, feeder mains, distribution pipelines, bulk flow and consumer meters, along with a SCADA system, a 5MW solar power facility and environmental safeguards.
The CDWP directed the Punjab Planning and Development Board to provide an undertaking regarding annual funding requirements through the provincial Annual Development Programme.
The Rs. 171.814 billion Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV), Phase-I, was also referred to ECNEC.
The project includes a 650 MGD intake structure at Keenjhar Lake, an RCC gravity conduit, pumping stations, pressurized transmission pipelines, three water storage reservoirs, three filtration plants and related infrastructure.
Iqbal said the scheme was vital for providing safe drinking water to Karachi and improving public health.
He said federal investment would help reduce the financial burden on low-income households and lower dependence on private water tankers.
The minister directed the Sindh government to submit an early report on the synchronization of critical project components, particularly the completion timeline for the 50MW power supply and distribution network augmentation required for the timely operation of the scheme.
Get the latest business news, market insights, and economic updates wherever you prefer.
Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.
Shares
