CDWP Approves Rs22.5B Projects, Recommends Rs496B for ECNEC Approval

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ISLAMABAD, The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Federal Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Minister Ahsan Iqbal, approved six development projects totaling Rs22.487 billion and recommended nine additional projects worth Rs496.485 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval on Friday.

Four projects in the higher education sector received CDWP approval. These include the “Uplifting of Academic and Infrastructure Facilities at Hazara University, Mansehra” with a revised cost of Rs2.805 billion, and the establishment of a women’s sub-campus at Batkhela under the University of Malakand, costing Rs1.342 billion.

Additionally, the “Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships for Bangladesh, Central Asian and Friendly Countries Study in Pakistan” (HEC) project, valued at Rs6.637 billion, and hostels for the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore and its sub-campuses, costing Rs3.357 billion, were approved.

The “System Transformation Grant (STG)” project, aimed at improving education and training, valued at Rs10.605 billion and funded by the World Bank GPE Grant, was referred to ECNEC for further consideration.

The CDWP approved the “Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre (JMC&RC),” formerly Quaid-e-Azam Health Tower in Islamabad, with a revised cost of Rs1.429 billion.

Two housing and infrastructure projects were reviewed. The “Flood Response Emergency Housing Project (Phase III)” valued at Rs42.090 billion, financed through EIB and GoS funding, aims to rebuild over 116,000 multi-hazard resilient homes in Sindh for flood victims. It was referred to ECNEC for further review.

The “AJK Legislative Assembly Complex,” costing Rs6.917 billion, received CDWP approval.

The “Sindh Coastal Resilience Project (SCRP) – Livelihood and Community Infrastructure,” worth Rs30.915 billion and funded by IFAD, was recommended to ECNEC. A committee under the Secretary of Planning will conduct a detailed review before submission.

The “Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP) Phase II,” valued at Rs185.894 billion and financed by the World Bank, AIIB, and EIB, was also referred to ECNEC. The project will enhance Karachi’s water and sewerage systems through infrastructure upgrades, institutional reforms, and capacity building.

The “Construction of Road from Pissan to Hoper Nagar (40 km)” in Gilgit-Baltistan, costing Rs13.765 billion, was recommended to ECNEC. The GB government will share land costs equally with the federal government.

Four transport and communication projects were reviewed:

Dualization and rehabilitation of the DG Khan–DI Khan section of N-55 (208.2 km), Rs111.940 billion, 86% ADB-financed.

Dualization and rehabilitation of the Rajanpur–DG Khan section of N-55 (121.5 km), Rs63.151 billion, 86% ADB-financed.

Improvement of Old Bannu Road, Rs24.130 billion, aimed at enhancing mobility and economic access in Bannu.

Construction of Black Top Road from Duki to Chamalang (160 km), Rs13.995 billion, recommended to ECNEC.

These projects reflect ongoing government efforts to strengthen infrastructure, education, health, and social welfare across Pakistan.