Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal today expressed profound concern over Pakistan’s lagging social indicators, a 2.55% population growth rate, and the country’s “embarrassing” status as one of only two nations still affected by polio, during a high-level meeting on Friday that cleared eight development projects valued at over Rs. 266 billion.
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), convened under the chairmanship of Iqbal, gave its final approval to four projects worth Rs. 10.551 billion. The committee also recommended four larger initiatives, with a cumulative value of Rs. 256 billion, for final consideration by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
Among the key initiatives forwarded to ECNEC is the revised ‘Karachi Urban Mobility Project (Yellow BRT Corridor),’ a massive undertaking valued at Rs. 178.59 billion. While endorsing the project, Minister Iqbal voiced concern over the lack of progress during the past six years and directed that its Cost Sharing Ratio (CSR) be reviewed and presented with updated details. The project is slated to be financed through a World Bank loan, contributions from the Sindh government, and private sector participation.
Other significant projects recommended for ECNEC”s review include the Rs. 50.37 billion ‘Upgradation/Extension of NTDC’s Telecommunications and SCADA System,’ the Rs. 14 billion ‘Prime Minister”s Pakistan Fund for Education,’ and the Rs. 12.94 billion ‘Expansion of Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology and National Institute of Heart Diseases (AFIC-NIHD), Rawalpindi.’
During deliberations, the Planning Minister issued specific directives for several projects. He emphasized that the education fund must revert to its original concept of providing scholarships and Qarz-e-Hasna to support talented, needy students in strategic fields like IT, AI, and water resources. For the AFIC-NIHD expansion, the forum instructed the sponsoring agency to seek alternative funding sources, citing that the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) is under “severe stress.”
The CDWP granted direct approval to the revised ‘Punjab Family Planning Program,’ worth Rs. 4.28 billion. In this context, Iqbal stressed that all social sector programs must be results-driven and called upon provinces to fully exercise their devolved responsibilities to make a meaningful impact.
The forum also approved the Rs. 1.6 billion ‘Construction of Graduate Block in NCA Lahore,’ which aims to expand the institution”s programs and supports the “URAAN Pakistan” goal of developing creative industries for export.
Other green-lighted initiatives included the Rs. 1.67 billion ‘Project Readiness Financing for Punjab Water Resources Management,’ to be co-financed by the Asian Development Bank, and the Rs. 2.98 billion ‘Hosting Community Support Program,’ which will focus on solarizing schools and healthcare facilities in Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including the Secretary of Planning, the Vice Chancellor of PIDE, members of the Planning Commission, and representatives from relevant federal and provincial departments.
In his concluding remarks, Deputy Chairman Ahsan Iqbal reiterated that public funds originate from taxpayers, and government officials are accountable for ensuring every rupee is spent responsibly for the nation’s benefit.