CDWP Approves Seven Development Projects Worth PKR 252.97bn

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved seven development projects with a combined cost of PKR 252.97 billion, including four schemes worth PKR 12.44 billion, while referring three major projects valued at 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 spanning higher education, information technology, physical planning and housing, with an emphasis on infrastructure development and institutional strengthening.

 

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, with cost rationalisation and implementation conditions attached to several schemes.

 

The committee also directed HEC to develop comprehensive university master plans, appoint qualified project directors, and ensure major construction contracts are awarded only to pre-qualified firms.

 

Among the projects referred to ECNEC was the PKR 37.13 billion Establishment of Pakistan Space Centre (PSC), which aims to develop Pakistan's indigenous satellite design, assembly, integration and testing capabilities under the National Space Programme-2047, reducing reliance on foreign facilities.

 

The PKR 31.59 billion Lahore Water and Waste Water Management Project was also recommended for approval. The project includes the construction of a 54 million gallons per day (MGD) surface water treatment plant, transmission pipelines, pumping stations, storage facilities, a SCADA system, and a 5MW solar power plant, while also targeting reductions in non-revenue water.

 

In addition, the CDWP referred the PKR 171.81 billion Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV) Phase-I to ECNEC. The project includes a 650 MGD intake structure at Keenjhar Lake, transmission pipelines, pumping stations, filtration plants, and water storage reservoirs to improve Karachi's drinking water supply.

 

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal described the K-IV project as critical for ensuring safe drinking water for Karachi's growing population and reducing reliance on private water tanker services. He also directed the Sindh government to submit an updated timeline for the completion of the project's associated 50MW power supply and distribution infrastructure to ensure timely commissioning.