In a significant move to advance Pakistan’s development, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved 15 major projects worth a total of Rs. 422.704 billion in its latest meeting. Chaired by Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives (PDSI), and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, the projects span multiple sectors including health, agriculture, infrastructure, water resources, governance, and transport.

Key Approvals and Recommendations

Out of the 15 projects discussed, the CDWP approved six projects worth Rs. 17.95 billion and recommended nine projects, totaling Rs. 404.754 billion, to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration. The meeting saw the participation of high-ranking officials, including the Secretary of Planning, Awais Manzur Sumra, and representatives from federal ministries, provincial governments, and key sectors.

Highlighted Projects from the Meeting

  1. Economic Transformation Initiative – Gilgit-Baltistan
    Worth Rs. 26.76 billion, this project aims to boost agricultural incomes and create employment for 100,000 rural households in Gilgit-Baltistan. It focuses on developing 50,000 acres of irrigated land and constructing 400 km of farm-to-market roads. The initiative also plans to enhance the value chain of apricots and potatoes, with scope for further products after a mid-term review.
  2. Sindh Coastal Resilience Project (SCRP)
    With a value of Rs. 45.79 billion, this project is designed to improve climate resilience and reduce poverty in Sindh’s coastal districts, including Badin, Sujawal, and Thatta. The project will promote climate-smart agriculture and provide inclusive livelihoods through fisheries and community participation.
  3. Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Center
    Approved at Rs. 3.11 billion, this phase-2 project aligns with the 5Es Framework and aims to provide specialized healthcare services on a national and international level.
  4. Social Sector Accelerator for Health, Nutrition, and Education
    The Prime Minister’s Youth Internship Programme under this initiative is worth Rs. 7.5 billion and will offer 30,000 paid internships to fresh graduates, with stipends ranging from PKR 25,000 to PKR 40,000 per month.
  5. Procurement of High-Capacity Wagons and Coaches for Pakistan Railways
    This Rs. 70.96 billion project focuses on upgrading the rolling stock of Pakistan Railways by procuring 820 high-capacity wagons and 230 passenger coaches, enhancing the freight and passenger service to improve operational efficiency and reduce the financial burden on the national budget.
  6. Rehabilitation of Multan-Vehari Road
    Worth Rs. 12.89 billion, this project will rehabilitate 93.5 km of the Multan-Vehari Road, improving connectivity in Punjab by widening and partially dualizing the road, including key towns like Tibba Sultanpur and Makhdoom Rasheed.

Infrastructure and Water Management Projects

Several major infrastructure and water management projects were also discussed, including:

  • Construction of Rawalpindi Ring Road (Rs. 33 billion): This project aims to develop a 38.3 km main carriageway with interchanges, flyovers, and toll plazas to enhance regional connectivity.
  • Mangi Dam and Water Conveyance System (Rs. 18.99 billion): This project includes building a 61-meter high dam and establishing a water conveyance system to supply water to Quetta City, improving water availability and regional agricultural productivity.

Air Traffic Control and Aviation Projects

Two aviation-related projects were approved:

  • New Air Traffic Control Tower at JIAP Karachi (Rs. 465.5 million)
  • Hiring of Consultant for RNP-AR Flight Operations at Skardu, Gilgit, and Chitral Airports (Rs. 832 million)

Both projects are set to enhance aviation infrastructure and improve flight safety and operational efficiency in critical regions.

Future Considerations

In addition to the approved projects, several initiatives were referred to ECNEC for further review, including large-scale projects like the Strengthening of MoPDSI in IT (Rs. 1.33 billion), and Sindh Early Learning Enhancement through Classroom Transformation (Rs. 46.57 billion), which will significantly impact education and technology development in Pakistan.

Conclusion

The approval of these 15 projects marks a significant step toward Pakistan’s long-term development goals. With substantial investments in infrastructure, health, agriculture, and governance, the projects aim to foster economic growth, improve public services, and create sustainable livelihoods for communities across the country. As these projects move forward, the government’s focus on modernizing key sectors will help lay the foundation for a more resilient and prosperous Pakistan.

The CDWP’s work underscores the commitment of Ahsan Iqbal and his team to push forward with major development initiatives, addressing pressing needs in both rural and urban regions, while also aiming to create a more balanced economic growth throughout the country.