ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved five development projects with a combined cost of Rs60.259 billion, including major initiatives focused on healthcare, infrastructure, urban development and water supply.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Professor Ahsan Iqbal chaired the CDWP meeting, which approved three projects costing Rs11.714 billion and referred two projects worth Rs48.545 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for consideration.
The projects are part of the government’s Uraan Pakistan development and reform agenda, aimed at strengthening human capital, upgrading infrastructure and governance, and promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
The CDWP approved the revised Medical and Nursing College at Gilgit, costing Rs4.924 billion. Ahsan Iqbal stressed the importance of expanding medical and nursing education in remote and underserved areas to create a skilled local healthcare workforce and improve healthcare services in mountainous and rural communities.
He directed the authorities to complete the project at the earliest, noting that it was initiated in 2017 but had faced delays because of inadequate funding.
The forum also approved the establishment of the National Defence University (NDU) FCS Campus at Defence Complex Islamabad, at a cost of Rs2.753 billion.
The Planning Minister directed the NDU and Planning Commission to collaborate on research supporting national development objectives, including the government’s targets of achieving a $1 trillion economy and $100 billion in exports by 2035. He also called for a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the relevant institutions and urged universities to focus on evidence-based research addressing national challenges.
Another approved project is the 53.4-kilometre road from Zera to Daboori in District Orakzai, costing Rs4.037 billion. Ahsan Iqbal directed that the remaining funds be released before winter so that construction could progress without further delays. The project has been pending since 2016 and is expected to improve connectivity in Orakzai and support development in the merged districts.
Meanwhile, the revised Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project, valued at Rs19.545 billion, was referred to ECNEC for consideration. The project is proposed to be financed through foreign funding, with the Government of Sindh contributing its share through the Annual Development Programme (ADP).
Ahsan Iqbal called for stronger monitoring, transparency and accountability mechanisms for foreign-funded projects. He directed the formation of a committee comprising the Planning Commission’s Member (Population), Member (Infrastructure) and a representative of the Economic Affairs Division to develop a comprehensive monitoring framework.
He stressed that projects financed through foreign borrowing must provide value for money and that borrowed funds should be used efficiently, transparently and strictly for their intended purposes.
The CDWP also referred the Rs29 billion Water Supply Scheme for Gwadar Town from Mirani Dam to ECNEC. The project, being developed under the Balochistan Socio-Economic Development Projects Phase-III, aims to establish sustainable water supply infrastructure and allied facilities for Gwadar.
The Planning Minister directed the provincial government to undertake a study for wastewater treatment in Gwadar, warning against allowing untreated sewage to contaminate the sea.
He also permitted the project to proceed to the bidding stage to save time, while making it clear that no contract would be awarded until ECNEC approval was secured.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Planning Commission, federal ministries, provincial Planning and Development departments, the Economic Affairs Division and other relevant institutions.
