The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), under the leadership of Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, sanctioned seven development projects totaling Rs10.053 billion.
Notably, four substantial projects valued at approximately Rs91 billion have been forwarded to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further evaluation.
The meeting featured prominent figures such as Awais Manzur Sumra, Secretary Planning, alongside Planning Commission members, Federal Secretaries, and senior officials from both Federal and Provincial Governments.
In the Higher Education sector, the forum endorsed the ‘Development of the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi’ and the ‘Establishment of Sukkur IBA University Campus at Mirpurkhas’, costing Rs3,387.386 million and Rs1,699.052 million respectively.
The ‘Gwadar Safe City Project (Revised)’ in the Information Technology sector, with a budget of Rs4966.905 million, also received approval. This project, funded on a 50:50 basis by Federal and Provincial Governments, aims to enhance city security through advanced surveillance systems.
For Physical Planning and Housing, the ‘Sewerage System from Larechs Colony to Gulshan-E-Ravi, Lahore’ project, valued at Rs49,270.400 million, was referred to ECNEC. Funded by AIIB, this initiative plans to modernize Lahore’s sewerage infrastructure using cutting-edge micro-tunnelling technology.
The Tourism sector’s ‘Punjab Tourism for Economic Growth Project (PTEGP)’ worth Rs12472 million, financed by a World Bank loan, was also referred to ECNEC. The project aims to stimulate tourism through policy reforms, infrastructure development, and capacity building.
Two Transport and Communications projects were recommended for ECNEC’s review: the ‘Construction of Dualization of Sialkot Eminabad Road up to Kamoki’ and the ‘Rehabilitation and Upgradation of Jhaljao – Bela Road’, with respective budgets of Rs12973.025 million and Rs16219.630 million. These projects focus on enhancing road connectivity and economic development in their regions.
The CDWP’s decisions reflect a strategic approach to advancing key sectors across the nation, ensuring sustainable growth and development.