- August 31, 2026
- Posted by: Tresmark
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The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Federal Minister for Planning and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal, has approved five development projects with a combined estimated cost of Rs60.259 billion.
According to an official statement, three projects valued at Rs11.714 billion were approved by the CDWP, while two larger schemes costing Rs48.545 billion were referred to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for consideration.
The projects are aligned with the government's Uraan Pakistan development and reform programme, which focuses on human capital development, infrastructure modernization, improved governance and sustainable economic growth.
Among the approved schemes is the revised establishment of a Medical and Nursing College in Gilgit, estimated at Rs4.924 billion. Ahsan Iqbal called for the project to be completed on a priority basis, noting that it was initiated in 2017 but had been delayed because of insufficient funding.
The CDWP also approved the establishment of the National Defence University Faculty of Contemporary Studies (FCS) Campus at Defence Complex Islamabad, with an estimated cost of Rs2.753 billion.
The planning minister directed the relevant authorities to coordinate with the Planning Commission on research supporting national development objectives, including the government's ambition of building a $1 trillion economy and increasing exports to $100 billion by 2035. He also called for a memorandum of understanding to formalize the collaboration.
Another approved project involves the construction of a 53.4-kilometre road connecting Zera with Daboori in District Orakzai, costing Rs4.037 billion.
Ahsan Iqbal directed that the remaining funds for the road project be released before winter to ensure timely completion. The scheme 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 approval. The scheme is proposed to be financed through foreign funding, with the local component to be provided through the Sindh government's Annual Development Programme.
The planning minister called for stronger monitoring and accountability mechanisms for foreign-funded projects and directed the formation of a committee comprising relevant Planning Commission members and a representative of the Economic Affairs Division.
He stressed that projects financed through foreign borrowing should ensure value for money and that borrowed funds must be used efficiently, transparently and strictly for their approved purposes.
The CDWP also referred the Rs29 billion Gwadar water supply scheme to ECNEC. The project, part of the Balochistan Socio-Economic Development Projects Phase-III, aims to establish sustainable water supply infrastructure for Gwadar Town by sourcing water from Mirani Dam.
Ahsan Iqbal directed the Balochistan government to conduct a feasibility study for wastewater treatment in Gwadar to prevent untreated sewage from contaminating the sea.
He also permitted the project to move to the bidding stage to avoid delays, while making clear that no contract could be awarded before ECNEC approval.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Planning Commission, federal and provincial governments, the Economic Affairs Division and relevant ministries and departments.
