The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved 14 projects worth Rs 139.5 billion including three significant projects of Rs 108 billion related to areas situated around CPEC alignment to enhance mobility and to ensure socio-economic development.
The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal and was attended by officers of the provincial governments and ministries concerned. The CDWP approved five projects costing Rs 131 billion, which were referred to the executive committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). In addition, it approved one position paper and gave concept clearance of one project.
The CDWP referred rehabilitation of NHA Highway KKH (N-35) Thakot-Raikot road of Rs 8.5 billion to ECNEC. The project envisages rehabilitation of 136.4 km remaining portion of existing KKH between Thahkot and Raikot which was damaged due to monsoon rains and flash floods in 2010.
Under this project breast walls and retaining walls will be constructed along with construction of causeway as well as culverts. While giving his observation on the project, Ahsan Iqbal directed the authorities to rationalize the cost and review the design of the project.
Another significant project as part of western rout of CPEC which was referred to ECNEC is dualisation and improvement of existing N-50 from Yarak-Sagu to Zhob including Zhob bypass of Rs 80.8 billion. The project envisages construction of 210 km 4-lane highway starting from Yarik on N-55 to Zhob on N-50 via Sagu, Daraban, Mughal Kot and Manikhuwa .The project will help the development of the backward areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
The CDWP also recommended construction of 2-lane highway from Basima to Khuzdar with Rs 19.7 billion to ECNEC. The project aims to enhance the mobility of the underdeveloped area of district Khuzdar, Balochistan province and will play a vital role for the development of deprived population of the province.
In transport and communication sector, the CDWP also approved development and construction of port allied structures in Mullah Band Area Gwadar of Rs 2.6 billion. In energy sector, the CDWP approved and referred enhancement in transformation capacity of NTDC system by extension and augmentation of existing grid stations of Rs 16.5 billion with FEC Rs 12 billion and conversion of existing 220 KV substation at Bund Road, Kala Shah Kaku, Ravi and Nishatabad to GIS technology of worth Rs 5.7 billion with FEC 3.1 billion to ECNEC.
In physical planning and housing sector, the CDWP approved wash projects in southern districts of KP under RAHA through Pakistan Italian Debt Swap Agreement (PIDSA) of worth Rs 150 million, construction of Intelligence Bureau (IB) office along with CPEC of worth Rs 482 million and construction of conference rooms and offices at Prime Minister’s House Islamabad costing Rs 298 million.
The CDWP approved renovation and rehabilitation of physical infrastructure of 200 educational institutions under Prime Minister Education Sector Reforms Programme in ICT, Islamabad with Rs 2.9 billion.
In information technology sector, the CDWP approved umbrella PC-1 for private cloud center FBR and strengthening FBR’s capacity in fiscal research and tax policy analysis of worth Rs 512 million. The minister suggested to develop a mobile application to enable online registration and filing of tax returns. He recommended that the FBR should collaborate with PIDE to enhance research capability and capacity building.
In science and technology sector, the CDWP approved acquisition of land for establishment of King Hammad University of nursing and allied sciences in Islamabad by the Government of Bahrain with Rs 313 million. It also approved feasibility study for sustainable development of mini dam command area in the Potohar region of worth Rs 39 million. It also approved bridging the job market skill gap for general postgraduate degree holder of Rs 393 million.
In addition, the CDWP approved position paper of development scheme in district Shangla of worth Rs 300 million and gave concept clearance of strengthening of early warning system of Pakistan – Met Department of worth Rs 19 billion with FEC Rs 14 billion.
