CDWP Approves Seven Development Projects Worth PKR 252.97bn

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved seven development projects worth PKR 252.97 billion, including four schemes valued at PKR 12.44 billion, while referring three major projects worth PKR 240.54 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.

 

Chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the meeting reviewed projects related to higher education, information technology, physical planning, and housing, with a focus on infrastructure development and institutional capacity building.

 

The CDWP approved four Higher Education Commission (HEC) projects, including the revised Strengthening of Women University of AJ&K Bagh, Provision of Academic Facilities at Emerson University Multan, Establishment of Hyderabad Institute of Technology and Management Sciences, and Strengthening of KBCMA College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, subject to cost rationalisation and implementation conditions.

 

Iqbal directed the HEC to prepare comprehensive master plans for universities, appoint qualified project directors, and ensure construction contracts are awarded only to pre-qualified firms. He also instructed that revised project proposals include photographic evidence of work completed under previously approved funding.

 

Among the projects referred to ECNEC was the PKR 37.13 billion Pakistan Space Centre (PSC) project, sponsored by SUPARCO, which aims to develop Pakistan's indigenous capabilities in satellite design, assembly, integration, testing, and qualification under the National Space Programme-2047.

 

The CDWP also referred the PKR 31.59 billion Lahore Water and Waste Water Management Project to ECNEC. The project includes a 54 million gallons per day (MGD) surface water treatment plant, transmission pipelines, pumping stations, treated water storage facilities, a SCADA system, a 5MW solar power plant, and measures to reduce non-revenue water.

 

In addition, the PKR 171.81 billion Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV) Phase-I was forwarded for final approval. The project includes a 650 MGD intake structure at Keenjhar Lake, transmission pipelines, pumping stations, filtration plants, water reservoirs, and associated infrastructure to improve Karachi's water supply.

 

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal described the K-IV project as critical for ensuring reliable access to safe drinking water in Karachi and reducing dependence on private water tankers. He also directed the Sindh government to submit an updated timeline for completing the project's 50MW power supply and distribution network, a key requirement for its timely commissioning.